As part of the Nantucket Book Foundation's Visiting Authors in Schools program, writer Kim Johnson visited Nantucket High School on February 6, 2025 to talk with students and teachers about social justice, becoming a published author, and how to bring a story to life starting with just an idea.
According to her website, "Kim writes social thrillers ripped from the headlines tackling some of society’s most compelling issues through fast paced character driven stories. Her bestselling novel, This Is My America, won numerous 2021 accolades, including the Pacific Northwest Book Award and Malka Penn Human Rights Award for Children’s Literature. Her second novel, Invisible Son, was a 2023 LA Times Book Award Finalist for young adult literature. Both novels were selected as NPR Best Books and Kirkus Best Books." Her most recent book, The Color of a Lie, is Kim's first historical novel, set in a white's only suburb in 1955.
High School Librarian and Nantucket Book Foundation board member, Jill Surprenant, had this to say about Kim's visit with students, "Educators and teens alike commented on the quality and depth of Kim's presentation, especially the historical, social, and intellectual components. She also went to the trouble to tailor her presentation to our community and current situations, making points around community care, immigration, ICE, and what we can do as colleagues, neighbors, and peers to show kindness, support, and empathy."
After lunch, a small group of student writers signed up or were invited to attend Kim's writers' workshop in the library. In that 45 minute session, students stood up to act out scenes from The Color of a Lie as inspiration for their own creative writing. Students shared the ideas they were working on while Kim gave them specific direction and tools for how to develop their stories. Much of the session was spent with heads bent and pens scratching across paper so that every student left with pages of original work.
"Giving our high school students the opportunity to hear from and interact with such a gifted, diverse, and intellectual author, activist, and speaker was invaluable. They got a history lesson wrapped up in a literature lecture, topped-off with a call to action for small and large acts of kindness to help shape a culture for social justice in our community and our world." - Jill Surprenant
Student and teacher reviews from the event are in, and once again you can see the effect these author visits inspire for our students and teachers:
"It was amazing having the Visiting Author here. Kim Johnson was very inspiring and the small group was even better. I loved your choice for this year. Please do more!" - Danielle Lewis, 11th Grade
"Not only did [Kim Johnson] inspire me in terms of never giving up on the fight against racism, but she also made me feel confident in my writing. Overall, she was super nice and a great teacher." - 11th Grade Student
"I really liked and appreciated how [Kim Johnson] succeeded at making the people in the small group session feel comfortable. She had a wonderful welcoming presence that encouraged creativity and allowed us to do fun group activities such as acting out a scene from our book and sharing our writing." - 10th Grade Student
"Apathy and Disinterest are becoming the leading issues teachers face with their students. Kim Johnson's novels offer a bridge for young adult readers to grapple with the hard truths of racial inequality that have occurred within the United States throughout our history. Her message to students encourages participation in the education and advocacy for racial justice that will heal our country. We were so lucky to have the chance to hear her story and get a glimpse into the narratives she offers for our youth." - Nantucket Public Schools Social Studies Teacher
