New Releases by Angela Johnson

A Journey to Becoming Love When you learn the lesson of becoming love... Would you like to be able to navigate the chaos of this world with greater peace amidst the complexities of life? Join me on a journey that explores loss, broken relationships, suffering, loneliness, drug addiction, mental health challenges, and even murder. After going through these experiences with my family, I now have a sense of peace that I felt should be shared and made available to others. This book is about the one whose nature is love. He also desires that we become more loving like He is. My journey explores coping with loss, broken relationships, suffering, loneliness, trauma, addiction, mental health challenges, and even murder. I've faced these together with family and friends. While I was seeking love, I was learning how to love others more fully. These pages were birthed with tears that eventually got wiped away and replaced by joy and peace even during the pain and the chaos of life. If you have ever had a passion for something, and you just loved talking about it and sharing it with others, this is how I feel about what I am going to share with you in this book. This is the testimony I want to leave on this earth. It would be selfish for me not to share what has encouraged me and changed my life. Having this book along my journey of becoming love, would have helped me a long time ago.

"[Un] llamado para que las niñas rechacen las limitaciones impuestas por los demás sobre ellas y sus sueños."—excelente,The Horn Book Magazine "Una vez soñé que nadaba / en el mar / y vi todo lo profundo, maravilloso / y fui parte de las olas. / Al nadar, las personas / en la orilla / gritaban: / 'Una niña como tú tiene que / permanecer fuera del agua / y estar seca / como todos nosotros.'" Motiva a las personas jóvenes a abrazar su individualidad, rechazar las limitaciones de la sociedad y perseguir sus sueños. Este inspirador libro ilustrado reúne un poema de la aclamada autora Angela Johnson y las características ilustraciones de fotomontaje de Nina Crews para celebrar a las niñas de color. "Once I dreamed I swam / the ocean / and saw everything deep, cool / and was part of the waves. / I swam on by the people / onshore / hollering, / 'A girl like you needs to / stay out of the water / and be dry / like everyone else.'" Empower young readers to embrace their individuality, reject societal limitations, and follow their dreams. This inspiring picture book brings together a poem by acclaimed author Angela Johnson and Nina Crews's distinctive photocollage illustrations to celebrate girls of color. Now in Spanish.

A humorous and joyful celebration of love and sharing by the award-winning and bestselling duo, Angela Johnson and Dav Pilkey. When Maya's grandfather comes to visit from Alaska, he brings a surprise in a crate -- something, he says, to teach her "fun and sharing." Maya hopes it's a horse or a big brother. But instead, it's a huge, pink pig named Julius! Maya's parents see Julius as a slob, but Maya feels differently. She sees a playmate, a protector, and a sharer in all that's magical and wild. This brand-new edition of the classic picture book by award-winning author Angela Johnson and illustrator Dav Pilkey will teach a new generation of readers about friendship, affection, and sharing, with lots of laughs along the way.

When Love is declared with a pure heart, who knew it could be as invisible as a wallflower?Fletcher Fernley finds solace in a comfortable chair and a well-crafted guide to property law. As a barrister, he readily engages in lively debates while in the courtroom and occasionally on the fringes of the ballroom.Audrey Benton gave her heart to Fletcher the day he surprised her with a swing he hung in a tree at Primrose Hall. Twelve years later, Audrey is determined to win Fletcher's heart. To do this, she must help him see she is no longer a little girl with knotted bonnet ribbons.The autumn of 1814 is anything but comfortable for Fletcher as the spices of the season upend his perfect life. He has Audrey to blame for this delightful turmoil as her presence leaves behind the lingering scent of cinnamon oil long after she has departed. Fletcher realizes a little too late that the lady who was once a wallflower was never meant to stand on the outskirts of his heart and a gallant gesture might be necessary to reclaim her affection.

Food is one of the easiest ways to bring friends together. To bring peace and unity through the one thing that binds us all. We all need to be more like Marq. Someone who enjoys the world and all it has to offer. This beautiful rhyming story is a joy to read. You will see Marq have foods from around the world. But this is not just a story about food. It's a story about kindness, respect, love, friendship and more. For children aged five to nine years, this delectable story is a great introduction to foods around the world. A must for those building multicultural libraries, this story would make a great gift during festive seasons or milestone birthdays. Classrooms would benefit greatly from this book to help children see that their friends' worlds are represented within. Books are doorways into other worlds and lives. Grab this book that creates a delightful conversation around food and inclusion.

Your family and friends form the foundation of your life. Understanding this is a vital key to happiness. Join the excitement as we continue our adventures with Ebony Emerald, who is going to get a wonderful surprise. She is excited to see what gems will adorn her ears. Through this simple story she sees our loved ones are the most precious gems of all! This wonderful book with vivid illustrations helps children see how much family and friends contribute to overall well-being and joy. Written for children aged 5-9 years, this multi-cultural picture book is a great addition to libraries of early readers. This book would make a great gift for parents who want their children to form a nature of gratitude and self-esteem. For children to learn that it is not the materialistic things but the simple moments in life that make our life blessed! What are you waiting for? Get this book and snuggle up with the little gems in your life. Make sure to count all the ways in which your little ones enrich your life as you theirs.

Arianwen is someone for whom life comes easily. Hers is an ordinary life, in a hidden valley in West Wales during the first half of the 20th century, filled with the small pleasures that help us bear life's little tragedies.But in a fast-changing world, Arianwen must learn the hard way. It is endurance that will see her through real adversity.Elegantly written with an understated humour and a lyricism that reflects the natural rhythms of the Welsh language, Arianwen is the captivating portrait of one woman who represents us all.

Sassy and ready for adventure, Debra discovers ruin and a marriage of convenience.Lady Debra Richardson is happiest when lost in imagination. With pen, ink, and parchment, she finds escape from daily life and the expectations of her parents and society by writing romance novellas. Debra desires to be a published author and will do anything to accomplish this goal. To aid in her writing, Debra sneaks out to the seaside to act out the scenes in her manuscript before she commits the words to paper. Alexander Evans, The Earl of Trenton left London after an embarrassing proposal and rejection. Needing an escape, he accepts an invitation to a house party on the Isle of Wight. Before reaching his destination, Alex falls into an innocent scandal resulting in marriage to a complete stranger. Unable to escape the lingering feelings for the woman he proposed to, Alex alienates his wife preferring the gambling table to spending time with her forcing Debra to believe his lack of love has to do with her red hair and freckles.

"[A] rallying cry for girls to reject limitations others might place on them and their dreams."—starred,The Horn Book Magazine "Once I dreamed I swam / the ocean / and saw everything deep, cool / and was part of the waves. / I swam on by the people / onshore / hollering, / 'A girl like you needs to / stay out of the water / and be dry / like everyone else.'" Empower young readers to embrace their individuality, reject societal limitations, and follow their dreams. This inspiring picture book brings together a poem by acclaimed author Angela Johnson and Nina Crews's distinctive photocollage illustrations to celebrate girls of color.

The We Belong Bunch: Pookie J.’s School Day is a children’s story about understanding and embracing each other’s differences to foster healthy relationships. The story is told from the perspective of Pookie J., a fifth-grade boy who wants to one day be a college professor like his father. He and his friends are the We Belong Bunch. Although the kids in the We Belong Bunch come from different places, cultures, and religious backgrounds, they are just kids being kids. They are kids who have dreams, love life, and enjoy learning. The adults in their lives create the environment of warmth and care that the We Belong Bunch enjoy. The story echoes the idea that we can all learn and support each other to improve our environment. The book is a great learning tool to help build a strong sense of self and belonging in our schools and community.

The Crossover: An Instructional Guide for Literature provides lesson plans and activities for this award-winning literary work. This valuable resource helps teachers add more rigor to their instruction with complex literature. Text-dependent questions help students analyze the text with higher-order thinking skills, with lessons focused on story elements, vocabulary, and more. Close reading activities throughout the literature units encourage students to use textual evidence as they revisit passages to respond more critically about the text. With various methods of assessing comprehension, this instructional guide offers strategies for cross-curricular activities as students build a greater understanding of this great literary work.

Experience the joy of Juneteenth in this celebration of freedom from the award-winning team of Angela Johnson and E.B. Lewis. Through the eyes of one little girl, All Different Now tells the story of the first Juneteenth, the day freedom finally came to the last of the slaves in the South. Since then, the observance of June 19 as African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. This stunning picture book includes notes from the author and illustrator, a timeline of important dates, and a glossary of relevant terms. Told in Angela Johnson’s signature melodic style and brought to life by E.B. Lewis’s striking paintings, All Different Now is a joyous portrait of the dawn breaking on the darkest time in our nation’s history.

Coretta Scott King Award–winning author Angela Johnson writes a poignant young adult novel of deception, self-discovery, and knowing what to do when truth is at hand. You never know what’s gonna come down—in Heaven.At fourteen, Marley knows she has Momma’s hands and Pops’s love for ice cream, that her brother doesn’t get on her nerves too much, and that Uncle Jack is a big mystery. But Marley doesn’t know all she thinks she does, because she doesn’t know the truth. And when the truth comes down with the rain one stormy summer afternoon, it changes everything. It turns Momma and Pops into liars. It makes her brother a stranger and Uncle Jack an even bigger mystery. All of a sudden, Marley doesn’t know who she is anymore and can only turn to the family she no longer trusts to find out. Truth often brings change. Sometimes that change is for the good. Sometimes it isn’t.

Three-time Coretta Scott King Award–winning author Angela Johnson and New York Times bestselling illustrator Loren Long introduce readers to a band of under-celebrated World War II heroes—the Tuskegee Airmen. All he ever wanted to do was fly. With fleeting prose and transcendent imagery, this book reveals how a boy’s love of flight takes him on a journey from the dusty dirt roads of Alabama to the war-torn skies of Europe and into the hearts of those who are only now beginning to understand the part these brave souls played in the history of America.

From three-time Coretta Scott King Award–winner Angela Johnson, a wrenching, honest book about surviving the unimaginable and finding a way to go on. Scotty compares herself to tofu: no flavor unless you add something. And it’s true that Scotty’s friends, Misha and Falcone, and her brother, Keone, make life delicious. But when a terrible accident occurs, Scotty feels responsible for the loss of someone she hardly knew, and the world goes wrong. She cannot tell what is a dream and what is real. Her friends are having a hard time getting through to her and her family is preoccupied with their own trauma. But the prospect of a boy, a dance, and the possibility that everything can fall back into place soon helps Scotty realize that she is capable of adding her own flavor to life. With artfully spare prose, acclaimed and award-winning author Angela Johnson explores the ramifications of unexpected death in this compelling coming-of-age story. An ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults pick.

Your first allegiance is to your heart. . . As a knight, Sir Rand Montague's allegiance is to King Edward I. But when the king orders Rand to escort Rosalyn Harcourt to court in order to wed her off to Sir Golan--a crass knight Rand abhors--he's torn between duty and desire. For Rand has never forgotten the woman he spent one incredible night of passion with. . . After suffering abuse at the hands of her deceased husband, Rose wishes to never wed again. But when Rand rescues her after Sir Golan attempts to compromise her, she agrees to marry Rand in name only. However, sharing such close quarters with Rand brings back memories of their torrid rendezvous--and tempts Rose to give in to an all-consuming desire. . . Praise for Angela Johnson's Vow of Seduction "Outstanding!" --Susan Johnson "Johnson is one to watch." --Romantic Times

Bobby's a classic urban teenager. He's restless. He's impulsive. But the thing that makes him different is this: He's going to be a father. His girlfriend, Nia, is pregnant, and their lives are about to change forever. Instead of spending time with friends, they'll be spending time with doctors, and next, diapers. They have options: keeping the baby, adoption. They want to do the right thing. If only it was clear what the right thing was.

After Heaven and The First Part Last, three-time Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Angela Johnson concludes her acclaimed trilogy with a poignant tale of finding where you belong and who you belong with. Shoogy left home with all her jeans still in the washer because she couldn’t think of a reason to stay. She’s not sure where she belongs, until she meets Curtis. Curtis knows for certain where he does not want to be and that’s to be back in the army. He is happy to be in Ohio, where it is quiet and he can spend time with Shoogy. But when Curtis gets orders to return to Iraq, will belonging with each other be enough to keep Shoogy and Curtis together? Angela Johnson takes us back to Heaven, Ohio in this bittersweet tale of first love found and lost.

Vow Of Gold Sworn to support King Edward, Sir Alex de Beaumont had to leave his new bride on their wedding night to fight in the Crusades. Captured and left to languish in a lonely prison, the warrior knight is kept alive by the memory of love--and of Lady Katherine's innocent passion as she cried out his name in ecstasy and made him her own. Upon his escape and return to England, he is shocked to find his beloved is about to marry another man. . . Kat refuses to forgive him. But Alex will not be gainsaid. He vows to seduce her all over again and his searching kisses reawaken the sensual fire they once knew--until an enemy determined to destroy them both closes in. Now Alex must risk everything for the one woman whose love he wants forever. . . Angela Johnson's two favorite subjects are history and romance--and Vow of Seduction is the result. A full time writer, Angela lives in Topeka, Kansas, with Joe, her very own hero of twenty-one years.

Welcome to Magnolia Street, where Charlie has just moved into her new home. It isn't long before Charlie's exploring, meeting all of her new neighbors, and getting herself into trouble. Her adventures with her bound-to-be best friend Billy--tricking Charlie's older brother, making a racket on a bus trip to the museum, or digging up a box of buried treasure--make even ordinary exciting. This collection of interrelated short stories is a true delight, perfect for newly emerging independent readers. Both girls and boys will cheer for this spunky girl as she takes on Magnolia Street and blossoms day by day.

Twelve-year-old Mike -- short for Michaela -- loves the ocean. The sights, sounds, and smells of her coastal home are embedded in her very soul. But Michaela loves her brother, Red, even more. Then one day Red disappears. One minute he's there, the next...gone. No warning. No time to prepare. And Mike must come to terms with that loss or risk never finding comfort in what remains of the life she and her brother once shared.

There's a sweet, sweet smell in the air as two young girls sneak out of their house, down the street, and across town to where men and women are gathered, ready to march for freedom and justice. Inspired by countless children and young adults who took a stand, two Coretta Scott King honorees offer a heart-lifting glimpse of children's roles in the civil rights movement.

A young girl's grandmother tells her of her love for baseball and the day they let her play in the game even though she was a girl.

Born with a rare and dangerous allergy to sunlight, Lila's spent her life hidden from the daylight-staying covered up and indoors until dark, only venturing outside after the sun has set and the moon's cool light shines. Almost every night, she is visited by two young girls who wear tutus over their jeans and costume fairy wings, and the three of them dance and tell wonderful stories. But while Lila adores her family and her new friends, still she longs to feel the sun's touch. Lila's mysterious friends have promised to help her . . . but how?

Dr. Gerard Wright agrees to take in his housekeeper's son until she is released from jail after the self-defense killing of her abusive husband. She should have been out in a few weeks, but when "irregularities at the crime scene" point to murder, she is sentenced to ten years, and Gerard is left with a terrified, emotionally fragile, six-year-old boy. The adjustment would have been enough; however, Gerard soon finds himself tangled in a web of deceit, cruelty and murder. Soon he realizes that someone will stop at nothing to keep Cameron quiet. But can he unravel this mystery in time?

The author of Heaven recalls the unheralded men--mostly new immigrants--whose labors served to build the canals, roads, railroads, bridges, and towering buildings of the United States.

A collection of poems reminiscent of growing up as an African-American girl in Shorter, Alabama.

A new collection of stories by award-winning author Angela Johnson about Charlie and her adventures on Magnolia Street. It's summertime, and that means more adventures for Charlie and her friends on Magnolia Street in this collection of short stories by the author of Maniac Monkeys on Magnolia Street. There are lots of comings and goings on the block this summer. One family disappears, while another--the Magic Family--appears from nowhere. Charlie's best friends, Billy and Lump, go off to camp and have their own adventures, and Charlie meets Ashley, a girl who likes to grow things. But perhaps most amazing of all is that Charlie and her practical-joker older brother, Sid (her nemesis), actually join forces to help a neighbor in trouble. From the Hardcover Library Binding edition.

Daisy describes the preparations leading up to her older sister's wedding and the joyous and bittersweet feelings surrounding the event itself.