Author  |  Journalist

Anna Rose Johnson

Storytelling has always been a part of Anna Rose Johnson’s life—especially timeless tales tinged with vintage charm. She grew up fascinated with the early 20th century, and began writing historical fiction at the age of seven. (Although it must be noted that she did not actually research her historical fiction until age twelve.)

Anna Rose’s novels are inspired by the beautiful, whimsical, and family-oriented fiction of authors such as L.M. Montgomery, Noel Streatfeild, Maud Hart Lovelace, Jeanne Birdsall, Beverly Cleary, and Elizabeth Enright. Her goal is to write stories that remind us of treasured childhood favorites​—sweet and gentle stories that are still honest and real about the hardships of life; the kind of books that families can enjoy together (and the kind of books she has always loved best as a reader).

As a gymnastics blogger and journalist, she has conducted 500+ interviews with athletes from all over the globe, including Olympic and World champions. Telling people’s stories is her favorite part of journalism, an interest that extends to her character-driven novels. When she’s not writing, Anna Rose can be found conducting genealogy research, tending her flower garden, or watching 1950s sitcoms.

A member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Anna Rose enjoys exploring her heritage through her stories, including her debut middle grade novel The Star That Always Stays (Holiday House), which was named a Christy Amplify Award winner and an NPR Best Book of 2022, and her sophomore novel, The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry, which received two starred reviews. Anna Rose is represented by Jessica Schmeidler at Golden Wheat Literary.