Angela johnson author cultural background
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Angela Johnson Angela Johnson (1961- ) is an acclaimed author of children's picture books, young adult novels, poetry, and short stories. Although she left her birthplace of Tuskegee, Macon County, at a very young age, Alabama serves as a setting in many of her works, which concern the everyday lives and struggles of young African Americans.
Angela Johnson was born in Macon County on June 18, 1961, the first child of Arthur and Truzetta Johnson. When Johnson was 15 months old, her family moved to Diamond, Ohio. After the birth of Johnson's two brothers, the family moved to Windham, Ohio, in 1966. Johnson's parents still reside there, where Truzetta Johnson works for a social services agency and Arthur Johnson is a retired employee of General Motors.
Johnson's love of language and literature began early in life, inspired by both her grandfather's vibrant stories and her grade-school teachers' readings of children's books such as Harriet the Spy. When she was eight, she began to keep a journal in which she could express herself secretly. Johnson always thought of herself as a po
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Angela Johnson (writer)
American children's book author and poet (born 1961)
Angela Johnson (born June 18, 1961) is an American writer of children's books and poetry, with over 40 books to her credit since beginning her writing career in 1989. Her children's picture books are simple yet poetic stories about African-American families, friendships, and common childhood experiences such as moving. Her books for older children revolve around similar themes but also explore deeper issues such as teen pregnancy and divorce. Her characters are realistic and the treatment sensitive, positive, and hopeful. Many of Johnson's books have connections to Alabama and Alabama history.
Early life
Johnson was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, and grew up in Windham, Ohio, with her brother and parents. She began writing in the fourth grade when her mother gave her a diary for Christmas.[1] Encouraged to write by her parents, in high school Johnson wrote "punk" poetry that was not accepted by her school's literary guild. She says this fueled her writing rather than discouraging it.
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Angela Johnson Biography
June 18, 1961 • Tuskegee, Alabama
Writer
AP/Wide World Photos. Reproduced by permission.
Since 1989 Angela Johnson has been steadily producing exceptional books for young people, ranging from picture books for children to novels, poetry, and short stories for young adults. Her works have earned her the adoration of fans and the admiration of reviewers, many of whom have commented on her exceptional ability to create memorable, real characters who stay in readers' minds long after the book cover has been closed. In most of her books Johnson addresses personal, everyday subjects: family relationships, the difficulties of growing up, seeking comfort from loved ones during times of struggle. A number of reviewers have noted that, while many of Johnson's characters are African American, the circumstances they confront and the emotions they express are so true to life that they can be appreciated by all readers. Johnson's editor, Kevin Lewis, stated in an article for the Knight Ridder/Tribune N
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