Leah Johnson’s debut novel, You Should See Me In A Crown, was the first YA book selected for Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club. It was a TIME Magazine 100 best YA Books of All Time and in 2022, it was considered obscene by the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office. I’ve read Leah’s book. I can’t remember if there’s even any kissing in it but, I know there’s no sex. But, it’s queer.

In reviewing the book, author Kekla Magoon writes, “It is a never-ending delight to see the canon of Black girl queer books growing, and You Should See Me in a Crown belongs at the top of the to-read list for anyone invested in the genre, as well as those who are new to it. Romance, friendship, and gleefully taking down the gender-normative, heteronormative patriarchy of the prom? What’s not to love?”

The Indiana Humanities Council selected the book for its 2022 Great Reads from Great Places Program, selecting the book in the same year for an Indiana Authors Award.

Leah has not only continued writing, but she decided to fight the bans and censors by promoting books by marginalized authors. In 2023, she opened Loud Mouth Books. If you’re looking for a way to support these books and authors that others are trying to suppress, purchase your books from LoudMouth Books.

Contact
Leah Johnson
Website: https://www.byleahjohnson.com/
X: @byleahjohnson
IG: https://www.instagram.com/byleahjohnson

LoudMouth Books
Website: https://loudmouthindy.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/loudmouthindy/
X: https://twitter.com/loudmouthindy/

Books
Next book: Black Girl Power (editor) November, 2021