A Celebration of Books,
Writers & LIterary Excellence

Save the Date


Gaithersburg
Book Festival

May 17, 2025

10am – 6pm

Bohrer Park


Kim Johnson

Latest Title: The Color of a Lie
The Color of a Lie
The Color of a Lie by Kim Johnson

In 1955, a Black family passes for white and moves to a “Whites Only” town in the suburbs. Caught between two worlds, a teen boy puts his family at risk as he uncovers racist secrets about his suburb. A new social justice thriller from the acclaimed author of This Is My America!

Calvin knows how to pass for white. He’s done it plenty of times before. For his friends in Chicago, when they wanted food but weren’t allowed in a restaurant. For work, when he and his dad would travel for the Green Book.

This is different.

After a tragedy in Chicago forces the family to flee, they resettle in an idyllic all-white suburban town in search of a better life. Calvin’s father wants everyone to embrace their new white lifestyles, but it’s easier said than done. Hiding your true self is exhausting — which leads Calvin across town where he can make friends who know all of him…and spend more time with his new crush, Lily. But when Calvin starts unraveling dark secrets about the white town and its inhabitants, passing starts to feel even more suffocating–and dangerous–than he could have imagined.

Expertly weaving together real historical events with important reflections on being Black in America, acclaimed author Kim Johnson powerfully connects readers to the experience of being forced to live a life-threatening lie or embrace an equally deadly truth.

About Kim Johnson

Kim Johnson held leadership positions in social justice organizations as a teen and in college, then made her life’s work to transform higher education to advance equity and access as a vice provost. She is now an author, speaker, faculty and consultant.

Kim writes thrillers ripped from the headlines, tackling some of societies most compelling issues. Her best-selling 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. “The Color of a Lie” is her first historical thriller.

She holds degrees from the University of Oregon and University of Maryland, College Park, and an M.F.A. from Oregon State University Cascades. She now lives in the Washington, D.C., area.

Instagram: @kcjohnsonwrites