Maureen Johnson
Encyclopedia
Maureen Johnson is an American author of young adult fiction
. She has published eight young adult novels to date, including the Suite Scarlett series and The Last Little Blue Envelope. Johnson is also the founder of the political networking site YA for Obama.
. Prior to that she attended an all-girl Catholic
preparatory high school. In the short period between her undergraduate and graduate careers, Johnson worked in Philadelphia, London
, and New York City
. She was the literary manager of a Philadelphia theater company, a waitress in a theme restaurant, a secretary, a bartender in Piccadilly
, and an occasional performer. She studied both writing and theatrical dramaturgy at Columbia University
, where she received her MFA
in Writing.
In June 2007, Johnson's book The Bermudez Triangle was challenged by the parent of a student in Bartlesville, Oklahoma
. While book challenges are not uncommon in the United States, Johnson's response on her blog is notable for its immediacy and for its call for greater transparency in the school system's challenge process. To resolve the controversy, the school board did not officially ban the book but placed it in a restricted area of the high school's library.
In September 2008 Johnson launched the political social networking community YA for Obama. The site was designed for those who wished to support 2008 presidential candidate Barack Obama
. It is hosted by Ning and includes archives of discussion forums, user-generated content such as videos and photos, and daily blog updates written by well-known YA authors such as Scott Westerfeld
, Lauren Myracle
, Cecily von Ziegesar
and Megan McCafferty
.
Suite Scarlett, the first book in the "Suite Scarlett" series, was published by Scholastic in May 2008. The second book, Scarlett Fever, was released on February 1, 2010. On November 27, 2009, Johnson became a New York Times Best Selling author when Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances, a book that she co-wrote with John Green and Lauren Myracle
in 2008, reached number ten on the Children's Paperback list.
The Last Little Blue Envelope, the sequel to Johnson's 2005 novel, 13 Little Blue Envelopes
, was published in April 2011. Her next book, The Name of the Star, first in the Shades of London series, was published in September 2011.
Johnson was also a scriptwriter for the Nintendo DS and PSP versions of the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince video game
.
on a regular basis.
Johnson is part of an unofficial group of well-established YA authors in New York City, including Scott Westerfeld
, John Green (who no longer lives in New York), Justine Larbalestier
, Holly Black
, Libba Bray
, Cassandra Clare
, Lauren Myracle
and others. She was an occasional participant and a "secret sister" on John and Hank Green
's Brotherhood 2.0 project, and is responsible for starting the "in your pants" joke frequently used throughout the project. She briefly replaced John on the channel while he was away on paternity leave in 2010. She referred to herself as "the second prettiest Green brother." Additionally, Johnson has been told that she is the "perfect seatmate" while on a plane.
after the earthquake in New Zealand. The donations provided 16 boxes of aid sent to areas affected by natural disasters. On March 11–13, Johnson raised more money for ShelterBox
in response to the earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan. This campaign raised $14,202, bringing the total amount of money raised by her and her followers to $29,404. In May, in response to the tornadoes in Joplin, MO and elsewhere, she raised over $4,000 for ShelterBox
and the American Red Cross
.
Young adult literature
Young-adult fiction or young adult literature , also juvenile fiction, is fiction written for, published for, or marketed to adolescents and young adults, roughly ages 14 to 21. The Young Adult Library Services of the American Library Association defines a young adult as "someone between the...
. She has published eight young adult novels to date, including the Suite Scarlett series and The Last Little Blue Envelope. Johnson is also the founder of the political networking site YA for Obama.
Early life
Maureen Johnson is a graduate of the University of DelawareUniversity of Delaware
The university is organized into seven colleges:* College of Agriculture and Natural Resources* College of Arts and Sciences* Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics* College of Earth, Ocean and Environment* College of Education and Human Development...
. Prior to that she attended an all-girl Catholic
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
preparatory high school. In the short period between her undergraduate and graduate careers, Johnson worked in Philadelphia, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. She was the literary manager of a Philadelphia theater company, a waitress in a theme restaurant, a secretary, a bartender in Piccadilly
Piccadilly
Piccadilly is a major street in central London, running from Hyde Park Corner in the west to Piccadilly Circus in the east. It is completely within the city of Westminster. The street is part of the A4 road, London's second most important western artery. St...
, and an occasional performer. She studied both writing and theatrical dramaturgy at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, where she received her MFA
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
in Writing.
Career
Maureen Johnson's first novel, The Key to the Golden Firebird, was published in 2004. It was followed by The Bermudez Triangle and 13 Little Blue Envelopes in 2005, Devilish in 2006, and Girl at Sea in 2007.In June 2007, Johnson's book The Bermudez Triangle was challenged by the parent of a student in Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Bartlesville is a city in Osage and Washington counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 43,070 at the 2010 census. Bartlesville is located forty-seven miles north of Tulsa and very close to Oklahoma's northern border with Kansas. It is the county seat of Washington County, in...
. While book challenges are not uncommon in the United States, Johnson's response on her blog is notable for its immediacy and for its call for greater transparency in the school system's challenge process. To resolve the controversy, the school board did not officially ban the book but placed it in a restricted area of the high school's library.
In September 2008 Johnson launched the political social networking community YA for Obama. The site was designed for those who wished to support 2008 presidential candidate Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
. It is hosted by Ning and includes archives of discussion forums, user-generated content such as videos and photos, and daily blog updates written by well-known YA authors such as Scott Westerfeld
Scott Westerfeld
Scott Westerfeld is an American author of science fiction. He was born in Texas and now divides his time between Sydney, Australia and New York City, USA.-Books:...
, Lauren Myracle
Lauren Myracle
Lauren Myracle is an American author of young adult books. She is the oldest of three sisters and has three older brothers. She grew up in Atlanta, Georgia where she attended Trinity School and The Westminster Schools...
, Cecily von Ziegesar
Cecily von Ziegesar
Cecily von Ziegesar is an American author best known for the young adult Gossip Girl books.-Early life and education:...
and Megan McCafferty
Megan McCafferty
Megan Fitzmorris McCafferty is an American author known for The New York Times bestselling Jessica Darling series of young-adult novels published between 2001 and 2009...
.
Suite Scarlett, the first book in the "Suite Scarlett" series, was published by Scholastic in May 2008. The second book, Scarlett Fever, was released on February 1, 2010. On November 27, 2009, Johnson became a New York Times Best Selling author when Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances, a book that she co-wrote with John Green and Lauren Myracle
Lauren Myracle
Lauren Myracle is an American author of young adult books. She is the oldest of three sisters and has three older brothers. She grew up in Atlanta, Georgia where she attended Trinity School and The Westminster Schools...
in 2008, reached number ten on the Children's Paperback list.
The Last Little Blue Envelope, the sequel to Johnson's 2005 novel, 13 Little Blue Envelopes
13 Little Blue Envelopes
13 Little Blue Envelopes is a 2005 novel by Maureen Johnson. A young woman embarks on a journey throughout Europe by following instructions left to her in letters from her aunt .-Plot summary:...
, was published in April 2011. Her next book, The Name of the Star, first in the Shades of London series, was published in September 2011.
Johnson was also a scriptwriter for the Nintendo DS and PSP versions of the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince video game
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a video game, developed by EA's Bright Light Studio and published by Electronic Arts. The game was released on June 30, 2009 to coincide with the film's new mid-2009 release date. The game was released on the, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS, Wii,...
.
Personal life
Johnson lives in New York City and travels to the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
on a regular basis.
Johnson is part of an unofficial group of well-established YA authors in New York City, including Scott Westerfeld
Scott Westerfeld
Scott Westerfeld is an American author of science fiction. He was born in Texas and now divides his time between Sydney, Australia and New York City, USA.-Books:...
, John Green (who no longer lives in New York), Justine Larbalestier
Justine Larbalestier
Justine Larbalestier is an Australian young-adult fiction author. She is best known for the Magic or Madness trilogy: Magic or Madness, Magic Lessons and Magic's Child...
, Holly Black
Holly Black
Holly Black née Riggenbach is an American writer and editor, best known for writing The Spiderwick Chronicles, a series of children's fantasy books she created with illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi.-Early life and education:...
, Libba Bray
Libba Bray
Libba Bray is an author of young adult novels, including the books A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, The Sweet Far Thing and Going Bovine....
, Cassandra Clare
Cassandra Clare
Cassandra Clare is an American author who has written the bestselling young adult saga The Mortal Instruments.- Personal life :Cassandra Clare was born to American parents in Tehran. As a child Clare traveled frequently, spending time in Switzerland, England, and France...
, Lauren Myracle
Lauren Myracle
Lauren Myracle is an American author of young adult books. She is the oldest of three sisters and has three older brothers. She grew up in Atlanta, Georgia where she attended Trinity School and The Westminster Schools...
and others. She was an occasional participant and a "secret sister" on John and Hank Green
Hank Green
William Henry "Hank" Green II is a professional vlogger and entrepreneur. He is the founder of VidCon and EcoGeek.org and the co-founder of DFTBA Records. He is also a singer/songwriter and has released three studio albums...
's Brotherhood 2.0 project, and is responsible for starting the "in your pants" joke frequently used throughout the project. She briefly replaced John on the channel while he was away on paternity leave in 2010. She referred to herself as "the second prettiest Green brother." Additionally, Johnson has been told that she is the "perfect seatmate" while on a plane.
Charity Work
On February 23–24, 2011, Johnson led a Twitter campaign that raised over $15,000 for ShelterBoxShelterBox
ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that provides portable refuge to disaster victims around the world. Since 2001, it has worked in more than 45 countries, supplying aid to more than 600,000 people, and delivers emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by...
after the earthquake in New Zealand. The donations provided 16 boxes of aid sent to areas affected by natural disasters. On March 11–13, Johnson raised more money for ShelterBox
ShelterBox
ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that provides portable refuge to disaster victims around the world. Since 2001, it has worked in more than 45 countries, supplying aid to more than 600,000 people, and delivers emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by...
in response to the earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan. This campaign raised $14,202, bringing the total amount of money raised by her and her followers to $29,404. In May, in response to the tornadoes in Joplin, MO and elsewhere, she raised over $4,000 for ShelterBox
ShelterBox
ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that provides portable refuge to disaster victims around the world. Since 2001, it has worked in more than 45 countries, supplying aid to more than 600,000 people, and delivers emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by...
and the American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
.
Standalone novels
- The Key to the Golden Firebird (2005)
- The Bermudez Triangle (2004)
- Devilish (2006)
- Girl at Sea (2007)
13 Little Blue Envelopes series
- 13 Little Blue Envelopes13 Little Blue Envelopes13 Little Blue Envelopes is a 2005 novel by Maureen Johnson. A young woman embarks on a journey throughout Europe by following instructions left to her in letters from her aunt .-Plot summary:...
(2005) - The Last Little Blue Envelope (April 26, 2011)
Shades of London series
- The Name of the Star (September 29, 2011)
- The Madness Underneath (forthcoming)
Stories in Anthologies
- "Jubilee Express" in Let It Snow: Three Holiday RomancesLet It Snow (novel)Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances is a compilation novel written by Maureen Johnson, John Green, and Lauren Myracle. The novel follows the lives of teenagers in a small city called Gracetown in the middle of a snow storm...
(with John Green and Lauren MyracleLauren MyracleLauren Myracle is an American author of young adult books. She is the oldest of three sisters and has three older brothers. She grew up in Atlanta, Georgia where she attended Trinity School and The Westminster Schools...
, 2008) - "The Law of Suspects" in Vacations From Hell (with Libba BrayLibba BrayLibba Bray is an author of young adult novels, including the books A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, The Sweet Far Thing and Going Bovine....
, Cassandra ClareCassandra ClareCassandra Clare is an American author who has written the bestselling young adult saga The Mortal Instruments.- Personal life :Cassandra Clare was born to American parents in Tehran. As a child Clare traveled frequently, spending time in Switzerland, England, and France...
, Claudia GrayClaudia GrayClaudia Gray is a pseudonym for Amy Vincent, a young adult paranormal romance author, best known for the Evernight series. She is published by HarperCollins. Her book Stargazer hit No. 4 in the chapter book category of the New York Times list of bestselling children books in April 2009. Gray is a...
and Sarah MlynowskiSarah MlynowskiSarah Mlynowski is an editor and a writer of chick lit and young-adult fiction novels. In 2001, she published her first novel Milkrun, which has since been published in 16 countries, selling over 600,000 copies around the globe.Married, Sarah lives in New York City, United States.-Personal...
, 2009) - "The Children of the Revolution" in Zombies vs. Unicorns (with Libba BrayLibba BrayLibba Bray is an author of young adult novels, including the books A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, The Sweet Far Thing and Going Bovine....
, Cassandra ClareCassandra ClareCassandra Clare is an American author who has written the bestselling young adult saga The Mortal Instruments.- Personal life :Cassandra Clare was born to American parents in Tehran. As a child Clare traveled frequently, spending time in Switzerland, England, and France...
, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Carrie Ryan, Scott WesterfeldScott WesterfeldScott Westerfeld is an American author of science fiction. He was born in Texas and now divides his time between Sydney, Australia and New York City, USA.-Books:...
, Meg CabotMeg CabotMeg Cabot is anAmerican author of romantic and paranormal fiction for teens and adults and used to write under several pen names, but now writes exclusively under her real name, Meg Cabot...
, Kathleen Duey, Margo LanaganMargo LanaganMargo Lanagan in Waratah, New South Wales is an Australian writer of short stories and young adult fiction.Many of her books, including ye Young Adult fiction, were only published in Australia. Recently, several of her books have attracted worldwide attention. Her short story collection Black...
, Garth NixGarth NixGarth Nix is an Australian author of young adult fantasy novels, most notably the Old Kingdom series, The Seventh Tower series, and The Keys to the Kingdom series. He has frequently been asked if his name is a pseudonym, to which he has responded, "I guess people ask me because it sounds like the...
, Naomi NovikNaomi NovikNaomi Novik is an American novelist. She is a first-generation American; her father is of Lithuanian Jewish ancestry, and her mother is an ethnic Pole. She studied English Literature at Brown University, and holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from Columbia University...
, and Diana PeterfreundDiana PeterfreundDiana Peterfreund is an American author.- Biography :Peterfreund grew up near Tampa, Florida. She graduated from Yale University in 2001 with a double major in literature and geology.- Ivy League :...
, 2010)
Essays
- "Hot Sex and Horrific Parenting in His Dark Materials" (published in The World of the Golden Compass, 2007)
Awards
- Devilish - 2007 Andre Norton AwardAndre Norton AwardThe Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy, named to honor prolific science fiction and fantasy author Andre Norton , is a yearly juried award presented by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America to the author of an outstanding young adult science fiction or...
finalist - 13 Little Blue Envelopes - 2006 ALA Teen's Top Ten
- "Most Interesting Twitter User to Follow" in Mashable's Open Web Awards of 2009
- "140 Best Twitter Feeds" in Time Magazine