Maureen Johnson
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| Maureen Johnson | |
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| Born | February 16, 1973 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Occupation | novelist |
| Nationality | United States |
| Writing period | 2004 - present |
| Genres | Young adult fiction |
Maureen Johnson (b. February 16, 1973, in Philidelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American author of young adult fiction. Her first book, The Key to the Golden Firebird, was published in May 2004. Since then, she has published five more books, all for young adults.
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[edit] Biography
Johnson is a graduate of the University of Delaware. 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 theatrical dramaturgy and writing at Columbia University, where she received her MFA.[1]
In June 2007, her book The Bermudez Triangle was the subject of a challenge by a school system in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.[2] 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. The book is not officially banned but placed in a restricted area of the high school's library.
She is part of a well-established group of YA authors in New York City, including Scott Westerfeld, Justine Larbalestier, Holly Black, Libba Bray, and others. Johnson was also an occasional participant on Brotherhood 2.0 and is responsible for starting the "in my pants" joke frequently used during the project.
Johnson currently resides in New York City[1], though she travels to the United Kingdom on a regular basis. Her latest book, Suite Scarlett, was published by Scholastic in May 2008 and is the first in a series.
[edit] Bibliography
- The Key to the Golden Firebird (2004)
- The Bermudez Triangle (2005)
- 13 Little Blue Envelopes (2005)
- Devilish (2006)
- Girl at Sea (2007)
- Suite Scarlett (2008)
[edit] Awards
- Devilish - 2007 Andre Norton Award finalist
- 13 Little Blue Envelopes - 2006 ALA Teen's Top Ten
