KIM JOHNSON
Author Speaker Educator
THIS IS MY AMERICA
The Hate U Give meets Just Mercy in this unflinching yet uplifting first novel that explores the racist injustices in the American justice system.
"An incredible and searing examination of the often tragic
collision of racism and a flawed criminal justice system. Read and reread ... and reared again." --Nic Stone, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin
"Harrowing and worthwhile; a call-to-action from the anti-racist insights of a generation of black activists." --Kirkus, starred review
“Activist Johnson’s powerful debut is a timely testimony that echoes the social realities behind today’s #BlackLivesMatter protests.” --Publishers Weekly, starred review
"This is My America promises a powerful story about racial injustice, featuring stunning prose reminiscent of Nic Stone and Angie Thomas.” --Paste Magazine
"This strong debut will strike home with socially conscious readers." --Booklist
"A strong debut. Will appeal to readers of Angie Thomas and fans of criminal justice podcasts like Serial and In the Dark." --SLJ
BIO
Kim Johnson held leadership positions in social justice organizations as a teen and in college, and is now an author and incoming interim vice provost at the University of Oregon. She maintains engagement in various organizations while also mentoring Black student leaders and serving as a graduate advisor and member of an historically Black sorority.
This Is My America is her bestselling novel that explores racial injustice against innocent Black men who are criminally sentenced and the families left behind to pick up the pieces. She is an award-winning novelist, with 2021 accolades that include the Pacific Northwest Book Award, YALSA Top Ten Best Fiction, and the ILA Notable Books for a Global Society. Her novel also received recognition as a NPR Concierge Best Books and Kirkus Best Fiction, Amazon Teacher's pick, and a Junior Library Guild and Project Lit Community Book selection. Her novel has also been selected for the Spirit of Texas and Humanities of Tennessee 8-12th grade reading programs for their respective States.
She holds degrees from the University of Oregon and the University of Maryland, College Park.
Entertainment Weekly, Feature Book Story w/Nic Stone, June 9, 2020
School Library Journal, Q&A, June 24, 2020
Oregonian, “7 Books for Kids and Teens Worth A Look This Summer”
Blavity, OpEd, July 14, 2020
Publishers Weekly, Q&A, July 28, 2020
Podcasts and Audio
NPR: Weekend Edition, "Kim Johnson Talks Racism, Mass Incarceration In Debut Novel," August 1, 2020
Podcast: The First Draft Pod
Podcast: A Bookish Home
Podcast: The Write Type
Podcast: The Book Junkie
Podcast: What Book Hooked You
BOOKS
THIS IS MY AMERICA
Every week, seventeen-year-old Tracy Beaumont writes letters to Innocence X, asking them to help her father, an innocent Black man on death row. After seven years, Tracy is running out of time—her dad has 267 days left.
Then one night changes everything. The police arrive, pounding on the door, and Tracy’s older brother, Jamal, goes from being a bright, promising track star to a “thug” on the run, accused of killing a white girl. Determined to save her brother, Tracy investigates what really happened between Jamal and Angela down at the Pike. And as Tracy discovers the racist history that still haunts her small town’s present, she begins to wonder if she’s lighting the torch that will illuminate her family’s innocence . . . or lighting the fuse that will cause her world to explode.
Kim Johnson’s gripping debut is a revelation—an incendiary, crucial look at the American justice system delivered as an uplifting read where love conquers hate and justice is delivered in the face of injustice.
THIS IS MY AMERICA is planned for publication July 28, 2020 by Random House Children’s Books.
Media
 A frank conversation about YA literature, police brutality, and the nuances of Black storytelling |
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 #SummerReads: 14 Books By Black Authors To Add To Your Bookshelf |
 The 15 Best Young Adult Books You Literally Won’t Be Able to Put Down This Year |
 Starred Review: Harrowing and worthwhile; a call-to-action from the anti-racist insights of a generation of black activists. |
 20 YA Books By Black Authors We're Excited To Read In The Latter Half Of 2020 |
 18 YA Books to Diversify Your Kids' Bookshelves and Teach Them to Become Better Allies |
 Anti-Racism Resources for Parents and Kids |
 Most anticipated YA books of the summer |
 Books by Black Authors We’re Reading in 2020 |
 10 Antiracist Books for Young Adults |
 Buzz Books 2020 presents passionate readers with some of the same insider’s look at 44 books on the way. |
 A Collection of Books by Black Authors to Read and Share |
 17 New YA Books by Black Authors to Support—Now and Always |
Upcoming Events
Write Door County --Craft of YA FictionThu, Feb 04https://writeondoorcounty.org/eventFeb 04, 4:30 PMhttps://writeondoorcounty.org/eventThe Craft of Writing Series is a three-week program that takes place virtually the first through third Thursdays of each month. Each month focuses on a different genre or form of writing. Registrations deadline February 3. Sessions on Feb. 4, 11, and 18th.
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