Leslie has been a media clerk at Diamond Ridge Elementary for six years. She has incredible organizational skills and is always thinking of great ways to introduce students to new books and engage them.
What books are currently on your nightstand?
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart, Lady Helen Finds Her Song by Jennifer Moore, and Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Howard W. Hunter
What was the last great book you read?
Echo by Pamela Muñoz Ryan. It’s hard to remember all the titles, there have been so many great ones this year. Echo is the one that has stayed with me. I loved the combination of fantasy and history (two of my favorite genres), the characters were compelling and the end was great. I loved how it all tied together.
The last book that made you cry?
That is hard to remember. The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart was heart-breaking.
The last book that made you laugh?
My Brother is a Superhero by David Solomons
What kind of reader were you as a child? What childhood books and authors stick with you the most?
I loved to read as a child. Titles and authors that I still remember are E.B. White, particularly The Trumpet of Swans, Lassie Come-Home by Eric Knight, Hotel for Dogs by Lois Duncan, and all of the books by Louisa May Alcott. The only nonfiction I remember is a book about Helen Keller, I loved it.
What is the best book you were required to read as a student?
Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
What book did you hate reading as a student?
1984 by George Orwell
What is your favorite book to recommend to children?
Wow! That’s a long list! It really depends on the child, but here are a few,
- There’s a Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone
- Wild Boy by Rob Lloyd Jones
- Star Girl by Jerry Spinelli
- Books by Gordon Korman
- Books by Mo Willems
- Books by Matthew Kirby
If you could only bring three books to a desert island, which would you pack?
My scriptures, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling (although I would really want all seven!)
Our students love the books by Gordon Korman and we can’t keep the Mo Willems’ books on the shelf!
All great books! We are fortunate to be able to help students find their love of reading. Everyone has been so passionate about books and the love of reading.
I loved your book picks. I really liked the Honest Truth too. It made me cry and also made me want to visit Mt Rainer this summer. I just picked up Echo for a summer read and it is catching my interest from the first page. Thanks for your input, this has been a fun way to share book knowledge.