"It may not be mountain climbing, but sitting in front of the computer [to write] does it for me." -- Angela Johnson

From humble beginnings in Tuskegee, Alabama, to a reading-centric family life in small-town Ohio, Angela Johnson is living her dream. Johnson's deep love for children and her early-life inspiration to write joined forces to steer her career. Giving up her pursuit of a college degree at Kent State University and a career in special education, Johnson turned wholeheartedly to writing and working in childcare in the 1980s. Through a stroke of luck and the help of a fellow writer, Johnson has gone on to publish nearly 40 books for children. Her award-winning work ranges from board books for young readers to gritty young adult novels.

Photo credit: Wende Alexander

Music on the Show

Artist: Miles Davis
CD Title:  blue moods
Song:  Flamenco Sketches
Label & Year: Sony, 2001
Excerpt read by: Matthew Stanford, WOSU

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