Molly Johnston Shares How Her Stories Empower Tween Girls Through Friendship, Courage, and Horses

PHOTO: Author Molly Johnston at her home in the Berkshires, where the inspiration for her Girl Adventure series continues to grow.

Heartfelt Stories That Build Confidence and Inspire Young Readers

Molly Johnston discusses how her personal experiences with bullying, love of horses, and strong faith shape her empowering Girl Adventure series for tween girls, focusing on resilience, friendship, and growth.

Molly Johnston writes with a purpose—and her purpose shines through every page she pens. An award-winning author and the creative force behind the Girl Adventure series, Johnston has carved out a special place in children’s literature, especially for tween girls navigating the often difficult terrain of friendship, self-worth, and growing up. Her stories do more than entertain—they uplift, empower, and inspire.

What makes Johnston’s books so remarkable is their authenticity. Drawing from her own experiences with bullying and self-discovery, she crafts characters like Morgan, Madison, and Tilly who leap off the page with courage, humor, and heart. Her deep love of animals—especially horses—adds another layer of emotional resonance, giving readers powerful metaphors for trust, healing, and personal strength.

In this interview, Johnston opens up about the real-life struggles that shaped her writing, the role of horses in helping her characters find their voice, and her passion for reaching young readers with stories that matter. With her latest book Jumping Over Challenges just released, and exciting new ventures on the horizon, Johnston continues to be a bold, compassionate voice for the next generation of girls who are learning to stand tall, speak out, and believe in their own story.

Molly Johnston writes with warmth and authenticity, creating empowering stories that help young readers navigate challenges with confidence, empathy, and hope.

What inspired you to create the Girl Adventure Series focused on themes like friendship, courage, and overcoming challenges?

I was bullied, rejected, and felt like I didn’t belong for much of my life. But I learned that my worth isn’t defined by others. After someone attacked my reputation and harassed me, I decided to write a book highlighting the importance of friendship, courage, and resilience. This process helped me overcome my negative self-beliefs. It’s vital for girls to know their value. Supportive friendships where people encourage each other during tough times promote growth. My books aim to convey this message.

How has your love of horseback riding influenced the characters and stories in your books?

Horseback riding has deeply shaped my characters and story. Through their experiences with horses, my characters develop confidence, responsibility, and empathy. They learn to care for another life, face challenges, and work together to solve problems. These interactions also teach them the importance of forgiveness, even toward those who have hurt them. I believe that teaching children the value of forgiveness is essential, and I strive to convey this lesson in my stories.

“Horseback riding has deeply shaped my characters and story.” — Molly Johnston

What challenges did you face while writing for a tween audience, and how did you overcome them?

Writing for tween girls was challenging. I needed to address topics they cared about and not just what I thought might interest them. To understand their interests, I researched and found that bullying, rejection, and stories about horses are common concerns and popular among them.

I also discovered that coming-of-age themes are significant for tween girls. Topics    like having a boy crush, being teased by friends, and seeking advice from a parent or a true friend about their feelings are prevalent. These are sensitive subjects and need to be handled with care. Get it wrong, and the reader struggles to finish the book.

Can you walk us through your process of developing relatable characters like Morgan, Madison, and Tilly?

These characters came from my heart. I filled them with my own quirky sense of humor, easy-going nature, and strong faith. My faith guided me through the stories, providing a sense of value and purpose. Additionally, my close relationship with my mom and her values influenced the creation of these characters. As I wrote, they began to come to life on their own—they fed off each other, their emotions developed, and they became real to me.

Morgan is a caring, tomboyish fighter who defends herself and friends. She stands up for herself confidently.

Madison is caring, has a strong bond with her mother, and aims to resolve conflicts peacefully. She dislikes seeing her friend’s struggle.

Tilly loves horses like her mother and shares a strong connection with her gruff but loving grandfather. She stands up against bullying and supports others. Horse riding boosted her confidence.

These characters reflect traits of the author.

How do you balance serious themes like bullying with the uplifting tone that defines your stories?

My quirky sense of humor and focus on well-being help me create an uplifting tone in my stories. The characters share a strong bond, and when one faces bullying, they support each other and refuse to let it hold them back. They strive for greatness together, showing resilience and the power of friendship.

Focusing on the negative can hinder growth and progress. Everyone faces difficulties and not everyone will like us. Staying strong with those who care about us is an effective way to handle life’s negatives.

“Everyone faces difficulties and not everyone will like us.” — Molly Johnston

What role do animals, especially horses, play in helping your characters grow and find their inner strength?

Horses are sensitive animals that can respond to human emotions, giving an opportunity for children to develop confidence, responsibility, and resilience. Children who care for horses—feeding, grooming, and riding—gain experience in overcoming fears, building trust, and taking responsibility for another living being. These activities contribute to emotional development and self-confidence. In these stories, characters such as Morgan, Madison, and Tilly build resilience through their interactions with horses, which help them in dealing with issues like bullying and emotional difficulties. Through these connections, they show personal strength and the significance of empathy and perseverance.

How has your background and life in the Berkshires shaped the settings or atmosphere of your stories?

Living in the Berkshires has deeply influenced my storytelling. The region’s serene landscapes—horse farms, vast meadows, and winding trails—provide a rich backdrop for my stories. For instance, when I walk through historic horse farms, I envision young girls riding joyfully, their laughter echoing through the fields. This peaceful setting inspires a sense of community, reflected in my characters and settings.

What was your experience like using virtual voice narration for your audiobooks, and why did you choose it?

Amazon selected my books to test the virtual voice narration feature, offering an opportunity to make my stories accessible to a broader audience, including listeners who prefer audiobooks. The process was straight forward and resulted in a professional-sounding audiobook that met my vision. This format offers a new way to experience my work, with potential for further exploration in virtual voice narration.

“Write from your heart and don’t give up.” — Molly Johnston

Are there any future projects or series you’re excited to share with your readers?

The fourth and final book in the series, Jumping Over Challenges, was released on Amazon on April 22, 2025. It is also available on Audible.

A new genre—romantic comedy—is being explored, which is different from previous work but aims to reach more readers. This creative path is hoped to engage new readers.

A screenplay for Moran’s Journey is being written with the intention of selling it. It is aimed to inspire young girls in dealing with bullying and seeking help.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who want to write empowering stories for young readers?

Write from your heart and don’t give up. Be the light and inspiration for a young girl, tween, or boy. Let your story flow and shine. Everyone has stories inside them; they just need to let them out.