Janet Sumner Johnson
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janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
Janet Sumner Johnson
@janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
720 followers 500 following 120 posts
PB & MG Author.
Latest Books:
The Winterton Deception: Fault Lines (P+I, Nov. '24)
Not My Circus (Capstone, Jan. '24)
Agent: Lauren Galit at LKG Agency
Posts Replies Media Videos
janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
Some amazing northern lights tonight. So of course we couldn’t help but do some fun poses.
A silhouette of a man poses in front of glowing red northern lights shining above a horizon of tree. Red and green northern lights shining above a horizon of tree.
November 12, 2025 at 3:06 AM
janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
Have you heard of the Kidlit Chuckle Challenge? It's a humor writing contest hosted by #KrisDeCaro, @aprilberrybooks.bsky.social, @juliehauswirth.bsky.social, & @brilawyer.bsky.social.

Submissions are open Sept. 14-16th, and you can win great prizes (like my book)! (Details at AprilBerryBooks.com)
Prize Donor Badge. A blue circle with the words "Kidlit Chuckle Challenge, Prize Donor" in front of a white background with the yellow words "Prize Donor" in different fonts repeated to fill the page. Book Cover for The Recess Genius 2: Tons of Talent. Several kids stand on a stage with orange curtains. One dark-skinned boy juggles balls, One light-skinned girl uses a hula-hoop, one dark-skinned girl in blue clothes wears a headset and carries a planner, one red-haired, light-skinned girl is singing, one dark-skinned boy is doing ballet, one brown-haired girl pokes her head around the curtains, and the recess genius, Regina Grey, with blond hair and a black hair ribbon, stands at the front, arms extended as though presenting the spectacle.
September 8, 2025 at 6:14 PM
janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
The first Salt Lake City protest at U of U. Had a great turnout. Peaceful camaraderie, united in our anger and frustrations. So glad I could be there!
Group of protestors holding flags and signs. One reads Not Tarriff-ied, Fuhrer-iated. Group of protestors holding signs. Janet, a white woman with light brown hair wears a pink shirt and stands in front of a group of protestors holding signs and flags.
June 14, 2025 at 5:52 PM
janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
Part 3:
A girl with blond hair watches a goldfish in a vase full of water.
May 12, 2025 at 9:47 PM
janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
Part 2:
Text bubble conversation: Me: Umm, what? Hopefully it’s not a live fish? Son: supposedly it’s a live fish. Me: umm, why are you getting a fish? Son: No idea. Me: I’m not super keen on this news.
May 12, 2025 at 9:46 PM
janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
A 3-part story in pictures:
A white piece of paper that says “congratulations, you’re getting a new pet fish! Please claim your fish in Room 109 today during the first half of PACK or after school from 2:45 to 3:00 PM. Your new finned friend is waiting.”
May 12, 2025 at 9:39 PM
janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
Taking a stand here in small town Logan, UT! #HandsOff
A group of protesters gather to display signs around the old courthouse, a red brick building. A Oman holds up a green sign that says “You Know it’s Serious When the Introverts Show Up” Janet, a white woman holds up a Hands Off sign and is surrounded by her white sons and other protesters.
April 5, 2025 at 6:35 PM
janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
It has been a stressful weekend of news, and posting has been last on my mind. But we need to hear and celebrate the good, so . . . excited to learn FINAL WORD is up for the 2025-26 SC Book Awards! It’s an honor to be among so many amazing books. Thank you South Carolina!
Display of covers for MG books which are up for the South Carolina Children’s Book Awards, 2025-26
February 3, 2025 at 11:13 PM
janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
So excited that I’ll be presenting at StoryCon February 21-22– a writing conference for kids w/classes for educators and general admission for parents or anyone who’d like to attend.

Getting kids exciting about writing is the best!

#StoryCon2025 #WritersCommunity #AmWriting
December 3, 2024 at 2:20 PM
janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
So excited to be attending NCTE! I’ll be on two Kidlit panels:
1) Fri. PM w/ @carriefinison.bsky.social @sylviaichen.bsky.social, & #AndrewHackett
2) Sat. AM w/ @ernestocisneros.bsky.social @triciaspringstubb.bsky.social, @elisastoneleahy.bsky.social, & @buffalojenn.bsky.social
Hope to meet you!!
November 15, 2024 at 12:50 AM
janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
NOT MY CIRCUS got its first trade review from School Library Journal & it’s a good one!

If you like humor & animals, you'll love this. Olivia was supposed to buy eggs, but she came home with a circus instead. 😳

Available wherever books are sold or you can request it from your library!
February 6, 2024 at 5:34 PM
janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
I’m celebrating the release of NOT MY CIRCUS (illustrated by Patrick Corrigan and pub’d by Capstone) with a virtual book launch via Zoom! My amazing CPs will be interviewing me about secret behind-the-scenes info! Hope you can join us!

Link to register:
forms.gle/TPRA5EDi6dZg...
Red and white stripe background with a monkey and an elephant trunk eating peanuts next to the words.
January 11, 2024 at 7:26 PM
janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
Let the silliness ensue!!

NOT MY CIRCUS is out today!! Written by me, illustrated by Patrick Corrigan, and published by Capstone!

Can’t wait for you all to read it!!
A cartoon giraffe eating a pizza above the words “Happy Book Birthday” with a red and white striped background. Next to the image is the cover for Not My Circus, with a cartoon white girl in a yellow jacket with circus animals making a mess in the background.
January 2, 2024 at 5:25 PM
janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
Look what FINALLY landed in my mailbox!!

Jenn Bishop (@buffalojenn.bsky.social) has been one of my favorite authors since I read her debut. She captures the middle grade feel with uncanny skill.

So I’m beyond excited to read FREE THROWS, FRIENDSHIP, AND OTHER THINGS WE FOULED UP!
November 1, 2023 at 5:44 PM
janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
It’s my book birthday!! 🥳🥳🥳

Today, THE WINTERTON DECEPTION 1: FINAL WORD is finally out in the world!

Ms. Renaissance Daphne kindly agreed to pose with my book, since Scooby and the gang get a mention or two. 😁 #bookbirthday
A blond-haired girl in a purple dress and green scarf smiles as she holds a copy of the book, The Winterton Deception 1: Final Word
October 31, 2023 at 1:53 PM
janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
Book mail! So excited to read both of these!!

THE PROMISE by Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani-Williams, illustrated by Cinzia Battestel feels all-too needed. And anything by Jennifer A. Nielsen promises a captivating read. 😍📚
October 17, 2023 at 5:17 PM
janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
I have a MG mystery coming out on Oct. 31st from Pixel + Ink.

The Winterton Deception 1: Final Word, cover art by Francisco Fonseca.

Learn more here: holidayhouse.com/site/pixel-i...
Cover art for The Winterton Deception: Final Word. A white stucco mansion with a red roof sits in a grove of pine trees with the ocean in the background. In front, two kids stand near a fountain with a mermaid.
October 16, 2023 at 4:56 PM
janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social
Ya’ll, I got my author copies!! They are so beautiful. 😍
A white woman with light brown hair holds a copy of a book with a mansion in front of the trees and ocean on the cover.
October 5, 2023 at 3:17 PM