J. J. Johnson (she/her) is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning author, editor, artist, and social justice worker.
After growing up in Norwich, a small town in central New York, J. J. attended Binghamton University, where she developed her love of history, the written word, education, and social justice. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Women's Studies in 1996.
In 2001, J. J. earned a summa cum laude Master of Education from Harvard University with a focus on helping teens organize, educate, and build power for peace, equity, and justice.
J. J. is the author of the highly acclaimed novels BELIEVAREXIC, THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING, and THIS GIRL IS DIFFERENT. Her books have received numerous honors and have been translated into six languages. J. J.'s nonfiction essays have appeared in Friends Journal, Indy, Urban Hiker, School Library Journal, Ithaca Times, The Herald-Sun, The Star-Gazette, Evening Sun, and Coup de Tête.
J. J. is a professional editor and writing coach who provides constructive, focused guidance to students, aspiring writers, published authors, groups, and organizations. Her special interests include amplifying the work of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and/or justice-involved people and helping youth in foster care or first-generation students apply to college.
When she's not writing, editing, building websites, or creating art, J. J. facilitates Restorative Justice Circles for Restorative Justice Durham and coordinates the Homicide Court Companion Program for Religious Coalition for Nonviolent Durham. She is a trainer and facilitator for Prescriptions for Repair, a community listening project seeking to repair the harms of gun violence in Durham. She also serves on the Book Harvest Authors Circle.
J. J. is an unruly Quaker who loves to laugh, dance, travel, practice yoga, build, paint, read, hike, roller-skate, collaborate, and eat cookie dough. She lives with her husband and teenager and their rescue dog in a 1940s brick cottage in Durham, North Carolina. Her mom lives next door. There are lots of flowers, garden beds, and a Little Free Library in the front yard.
After growing up in Norwich, a small town in central New York, J. J. attended Binghamton University, where she developed her love of history, the written word, education, and social justice. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Women's Studies in 1996.
In 2001, J. J. earned a summa cum laude Master of Education from Harvard University with a focus on helping teens organize, educate, and build power for peace, equity, and justice.
J. J. is the author of the highly acclaimed novels BELIEVAREXIC, THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING, and THIS GIRL IS DIFFERENT. Her books have received numerous honors and have been translated into six languages. J. J.'s nonfiction essays have appeared in Friends Journal, Indy, Urban Hiker, School Library Journal, Ithaca Times, The Herald-Sun, The Star-Gazette, Evening Sun, and Coup de Tête.
J. J. is a professional editor and writing coach who provides constructive, focused guidance to students, aspiring writers, published authors, groups, and organizations. Her special interests include amplifying the work of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and/or justice-involved people and helping youth in foster care or first-generation students apply to college.
When she's not writing, editing, building websites, or creating art, J. J. facilitates Restorative Justice Circles for Restorative Justice Durham and coordinates the Homicide Court Companion Program for Religious Coalition for Nonviolent Durham. She is a trainer and facilitator for Prescriptions for Repair, a community listening project seeking to repair the harms of gun violence in Durham. She also serves on the Book Harvest Authors Circle.
J. J. is an unruly Quaker who loves to laugh, dance, travel, practice yoga, build, paint, read, hike, roller-skate, collaborate, and eat cookie dough. She lives with her husband and teenager and their rescue dog in a 1940s brick cottage in Durham, North Carolina. Her mom lives next door. There are lots of flowers, garden beds, and a Little Free Library in the front yard.