Alora Johnson

My name is Alora Johnson, and I’m a 13-year-old author and actress based in Atlanta. Creativity has always been my way of expressing myself, especially as I worked through trauma. I was adopted at six, after spending years in the foster care system—a journey that shaped me and gave me a unique perspective. I’ve also been diagnosed with PTSD, something I’m open about because I believe there’s no shame in having experienced trauma. In fact, those experiences inspired me to write. The idea for my book came from a dream, and I’ve spent the last two years bringing it to life with help from my mom and older sister. Each of the three main characters holds a piece of me; in some way, they each represent a part of my journey and my hopes for the future. People often call me an “old soul,” and I think that’s because I connect deeply with stories and characters, especially those with complex paths. My biggest hope is to show other foster kids that their past doesn’t define them. They have the power to dream big, to be seen, and to know they’re important.

The Curse of the Fairy Tree is a story of friendship, bravery, and big dreams. Emma and her two best friends, Lily and Ava, discover an ancient map in Emma’s grandma’s attic, leading them to hidden secrets in their small beach town, Shoreline Bay. From magical hair clips and pirate legends to a mysterious fairy who appears in Emma’s dreams, they’re pulled into an adventure filled with clues, danger, and an old curse. As they work to break the curse, they learn that friendship and believing in each other’s strengths can overcome any obstacle. It’s a journey that shows kids, especially those who’ve faced hard times, that magic is real when you stick together and dream big.