Leah Johnson

From New York Times-bestselling author George M. Johnson and USA Today-bestselling author Leah Johnson comes a revolutionary new holiday romcom for fans of Lynn Painter, Alice Oseman, and Nicola Yoon.Andy was supposed to shed her too-serious student journalist persona and reinvent herself on New Year's Eve. Instead, she puked on her crush, dropped her phone in a fish tank, and managed to get her car stolen. Now, she only has the first day of the year to stop the gentrification that's threatening her family's business, right her wrongs from the night before, and figure out why she feels so drawn to the electric new-girl-next-door. How can Andy find her voice when everything's being turned upside down? Dominique is an influencer on the verge of securing a major brand deal that will ensure his future and family legacy. But when he runs into his former best friend, unresolved feelings emerge -- and in a small town, there's nowhere to hide. Not from his cousin, Andy, who has always seen him for his true self, not from his busybody manager, Kim, whose favorite color is money green, and certainly not from himself. When all the world's a stage, can Dominique rise to superstardom without leaving behind the ones he loves? There's Always Next Year is a dual POV, double love story about what it means to nearly blow your life up, and race to put it back together before your time runs out. And if Andy and Dominique fail? Well, there's always next year.

It's not everyday your life gets turned upside down by magical powers! Boyds are born to stand out: Bree's dad is celebrated professor, her mum is a state senator, her brother is on his way to professional basketball stardom and her sister is a prima ballerina. But where does Bree fit in? Sure, she just won the Regional Spelling Bee and is well on her way to Nationals, but lately something doesn't feel quite right. With her new friends Ellie, Abby and Sam, Bree is realizing that there's more to life than being the best. Not to mention this tiny, pesky thing she keeps trying to forget about – her newfound powers! But when an old friend comes back to town, things get out of control. So many feelings from Bree's past come bubbling to the surface, and Bree starts to lose control of her powers. Will Bree find her way back to who she used to be? Or will she finally embrace who she is? By award winning author, Leah Johnson, this is a funny and magical middle-grade novel following up from Ellie Engle Saves The World Perfect for fans of Miss Marvel, Smallsville and Amari and the Night Brothers. A story about friendship and finding yourself.

From award-winning YA author Leah Johnson comes the sequel to her stunning middle grade debut, Ellie Engle Saves Herself, now with Ellie's bff, Bree Boyd, taking center stage in story about friendship, family, and what it really means to be the best 7th grader Bree Boyd loves rules, order, and knowing what's going to happen next. It's why she likes reading the same books over and over; it's why she's the school's reigning spelling bee champ; and, most importantly, it's why she's never minded the high expectations her father has always had for her and her sisters. After all, if you're always the best, life can't throw many surprises at you. But for the first time, Bree has no idea what the future holds. Because when a huge storm delivers a bolt of lightning straight into Bree, it leaves behind something she never prepared for: the power to move things with her mind. All of a sudden Bree's life--filled with rules and routine--is twisted upside down and inside out. But will these new powers show Bree the magic of an unpredictable, imperfect life? Or will they simply spell disaster for everyone? Irresistibly charming, laugh-out-loud funny, and brimming with heart, Leah Johnson's powerful series about ordinary kids with extraordinary abilities is nothing short of miraculous.

Now in paperback From award-winning YA author Leah Johnson comes her magical middle grade debut: a laugh-until-you-cry, cry-until-you-laugh story about an ordinary girl whose life is turned upside down by some extraordinary powers. Kirkus Best of 2023 Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books of 2023 Named a Best Book of 2023 by School Library Journal Shortlisted for the 2024 LGBTQ+ Middle Grade Lambda Literary Award The Bank Street Best Books of the Year List, 2024 (Star for Outstanding Merit) Selected for the ALA Booklist Rainbow List, 2024Ellie Engle doesn't stand out. Not at home, where she's alone with her pet fish since her dad moved away and her mom has to work around the clock . Not at the bakery, where she helps out old Mr. Walker on the weekends. And definitely not at school, where her best friend Abby--the coolest, boldest, most talented girl in the world--drags Ellie along on her never-ending quest to "make her mark." To someone else, a life in the shadows might seem boring, or lonely. But not to Ellie. As long as she has Abby by her side and a comic book in her hand, she's quite content. Too bad life didn't bother checking in with Ellie. Because when a freak earthquake hits her small town, Ellie wakes up with fantastical powers that allow her to bring anything back to life with just her touch. And when a video of her using her powers suddenly goes viral, Ellie's life goes somewhere she never imagined--or wanted: straight into the spotlight. Surviving middle school is hard enough. Surviving middle school when paparazzi are camped out on your front lawn and an international pop singer wants you to use your powers on live tv and you might be in love with your best friend but she doesn't know it? Absolutely impossible.

“A wonderful, genre-spanning collection to dip into time and time again.” - Booktrust “Electric: bequeaths confidence-building storiesthat sizzle with wisdom and a little bit of magic."” - Kirkus (starred review) A joyous anthology full of black girl power curated by critically acclaimed and award-winning author, Leah Johnson, and with a cover illustrated by the #1 New York Times bestselling creator of LITTLE LEADERS, Vashti Harrison. The anthology features stories from Amerie, Dhonielle Clayton, Elise Bryant, Ibi Zoboi, Janae Marks, Kalynn Bayron, Karen Strong, Kekla Magoon, Leah Johnson, Natasha Díaz, Renée Watson, Roseanne A. Brown, Sharon G. Flake, Sharon M. Draper and Tolá Okogwu. A heartwarming anthology of black girl power Curated by critically acclaimed and award-winning author, Leah Johnson

AN INSTANT USA TODAY BEST SELLER Kirkus Reviews Best of 2024 list, Best of Middle Grade A vibrant, heartwarming collection of 15 middle grade stories and poems that celebrates the joy, strength, and experience of Black girlhood, including stories from Ibi Zoboi, Sharon M. Draper, and Leah Johnson, as well as cover art from Caldecott winner Vashti Harrison. Black girl power is... Bringing your favorite stuffed animal to your first real sleepover. . .Escaping an eerie dollhouse that's got you trapped inside. . .Making new friends one magical baked good at a time. . .Finding the courage to dance to the beat of your own drum. . . And more From 15 legendary Black women authors comes a dazzling collection of stories and poems about the power we find in the everyday and the beauty of Black girlhood. Contributors include: Amerie, Kalynn Bayron, Roseanne A. Brown, Elise Bryant, Dhonielle Clayton, Natasha Diaz, Sharon M. Draper, Sharon Flake, Leah Johnson, Kekla Magoon, Janae Marks, Tol Okogwu, Karen Strong, Ren e Watson, and Ibi Zoboi

From the author of You Should See Me in a Crown, Leah Johnson delivers a stunning novel about being brave enough to be true to yourself, and learning to find joy even when times are unimaginably dark.Olivia is an expert at falling in love . . . and at being dumped. But after the fallout from her last breakup has left her an outcast at school and at home, she's determined to turn over a new leaf. A crush-free weekend at Farmland Music and Arts Festival with her best friend is just what she needs to get her mind off the senior year that awaits her.Toni is one week away from starting college, and it's the last place she wants to be. Unsure about who she wants to become and still reeling in the wake of the loss of her musician-turned-roadie father, she's heading back to the music festival that changed his life in hopes that following in his footsteps will help her find her own way forward.When the two arrive at Farmland, the last thing they expect is to realize that they'll need to join forces in order to get what they're searching for out of the weekend. As they work together, the festival becomes so much more complicated than they bargained for. Olivia and Toni will find that they need each other, and music, more than they ever could have imagined.Packed with irresistible romance and irrepressible heart, bestselling author Leah Johnson delivers a stunning and cinematic story about grief, love, and the remarkable power of music to heal and connect us all.

In a small-town where nothing ever happens, prepare for something extraordinary! 12-year-old Ellie and her best friend Abby, live in the small-town of Plainsboro where nothing ever happens. Ellie is an unassuming and unspectacular comic book geek, and she idolises her best-friend Abby who is cool, chic and talented. But when a freak earthquake strikes the small town, Ellie learns that she has acquired an unimaginable power... And when a video of her power suddenly goes viral, Ellie is thrown into the spotlight, a place she does not want to be. An underdog story that will make you laugh, cry, and laugh all over again. From award-winning author Leah Johnson. Perfect for fans of Miss Marvel, Smallsville and Amari and the Night Brothers. A story about friendship and finding yourself. By award winning author, Leah Johnson, this is a funny and magical middle-grade novel

From award-winning YA author Leah Johnson comes her magical middle grade debut: a laugh-until-you-cry, cry-until-you-laugh story about an ordinary girl whose life is turned upside down by some extraordinary powers. Kirkus Best of 2023 Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books of 2023 Named a Best Book of 2023 by School Library Journal Shortlisted for the 2024 LGBTQ+ Middle Grade Lambda Literary Award The Bank Street Best Books of the Year List, 2024 (Star for Outstanding Merit) Selected for the ALA Booklist Rainbow List, 2024Ellie Engle doesn't stand out. Not at home, where she's alone with her pet fish since her dad moved away and her mom has to work around the clock . Not at the bakery, where she helps out old Mr. Walker on the weekends. And definitely not at school, where her best friend Abby--the coolest, boldest, most talented girl in the world--drags Ellie along on her never-ending quest to "make her mark." To someone else, a life in the shadows might seem boring, or lonely. But not to Ellie. As long as she has Abby by her side and a comic book in her hand, she's quite content. Too bad life didn't bother checking in with Ellie. Because when a freak earthquake hits her small town, Ellie wakes up with fantastical powers that allow her to bring anything back to life with just her touch. And when a video of her using her powers suddenly goes viral, Ellie's life goes somewhere she never imagined--or wanted: straight into the spotlight. Surviving middle school is hard enough. Surviving middle school when paparazzi are camped out on your front lawn and an international pop singer wants you to use your powers on live tv and you might be in love with your best friend but she doesn't know it? Absolutely impossible.

From the author of You Should See Me in a Crown, Leah Johnson delivers a stunning novel about being brave enough to be true to yourself, and learning to find joy even when times are unimaginably dark.Olivia is an expert at falling in love . . . and at being dumped. But after the fallout from her last breakup has left her an outcast at school and at home, she's determined to turn over a new leaf. A crush-free weekend at Farmland Music and Arts Festival with her best friend is just what she needs to get her mind off the senior year that awaits her.Toni is one week away from starting college, and it's the last place she wants to be. Unsure about who she wants to become and still reeling in the wake of the loss of her musician-turned-roadie father, she's heading back to the music festival that changed his life in hopes that following in his footsteps will help her find her own way forward.When the two arrive at Farmland, the last thing they expect is to realize that they'll need to join forces in order to get what they're searching for out of the weekend. As they work together, the festival becomes so much more complicated than they bargained for. Olivia and Toni will find that they need each other, and music, more than they ever could have imagined.Packed with irresistible romance and irrepressible heart, bestselling author Leah Johnson delivers a stunning and cinematic story about grief, love, and the remarkable power of music to heal and connect us all.

Set over the course of four days at a music festival, the novel features strangers Toni and Olivia, who meet and realise that the music is more than just a way out; it's a way through... if they are brave enough to face it together.

A TIME Magazine Best YA Book of All TimeA Stonewall Honor BookA Reese's Book Club YA PickLiz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it's okay -- Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz's plans come crashing down . . . until she's reminded of her school's scholarship for prom king and queen. There's nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight she's willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington.The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. She's smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams . . . or make them come true?