[OPLINLIST] Angela Johnson Program

[Darlene Dotto]

Just a quick reminder!

Angela Johnson is coming to TCPL!

Tuesday, April 8

6:30PM

Tuscarawas County Public Library Main:

121 Fair Ave NW, New Philadelphiia, OH

Angela Johnson




Award Winning Author to Speak to Students, Public

Meet award winning author, Angela Johnson at the Tuscarawas County 
Public Library's main location (121 Fair Ave. NW) on April 8 at 6:30 
p.m. in New Philadelphia.

Johnson was born in Tuskegee, Alabama and grew up in Windham, 
Ohio.  Her love of writing blossomed from a love of books that 
started with a teacher who read to her.  Johnson attended Kent State 
University before focusing on her writing full time.  She credits her 
break in writing to her relationship with bestselling author Cynthia 
Rylant, who reviewed Johnson's writing and forwarded it to her own publisher.

Johnson started her career writing picture books, and since then has 
over 40 books to her name including teen and adult novels, poetry 
collections, picture books, and short stories.

Her first book, a picture book called "Tell Me a Story, Mama" won the 
Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award in 1991. She has won four Coretta 
Scott King Awards, one each for her novels "The First Part of Last" 
(2004), "Heaven" (1999), and "Toning the Sweep" (1994) and "The Other 
Side, The Shorter Poems" (1998). The Coretta Scott King Award is 
given annually to outstanding African American authors and 
illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate 
an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.

"The First Part Last" was also the recipient of the Michael Printz 
Award, given annually to the best book written for teens.  In 
recognition of her outstanding talent, Johnson was named a MacArthur 
Fellow (2003) and received the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award 
(2013), given annually to an author or illustrator in recognition of 
artistic excellence that contributes to the field of multicultural 
literature for children or adolescents.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with the New Philadelphia City 
Schools' 21st Century grant to host such a noteworthy author whose 
wide variety of books has the ability to touch the lives of all age 
groups," said Darlene Dotto, Teen Programming Coordinator.

Angela Johnson will be visiting students at Welty Middle School 
during the day prior to the evening event that is open to the general 
public.  Johnson will talk about her books, her writing style and 
what inspires her stories. The program will conclude with a question 
and answer session, as well as a book signing.  Copies of Johnson's 
book "All This and Heaven Too" will be available for purchase from 
the Friends of the Library for $12 each.  This title includes 
Johnson's three books, "Heaven," "The First Part Last," and "Sweet, Hereafter."

For more information or to register for this free program, please 
contact the library at 330-364-4474 ext. 101.

Darlene Dotto
Teen Program Coordinator
Tuscarawas County Public Library
121 Fair Ave NW
New Philadelphia, OH 44663
330-364-4474
dottoda at oplin.org