Ann comes from a long line of musicians, artists, and teachers.  Since she’s never been able to carry a tune, she was always given plenty of writing supplies and allowed to use the sharp scissors.  Eventually, she put those writing supplies to good use and wrote her middle-grade novels from Henry Holt, Also Known as Harper and A Finders-Keepers Place. She lives and writes in Seattle, Washington.

“Some people like things shiny and crisp.
But I tend to like the things with the
scraped-up edges. That way I can tell other people have liked them, too.”

—Harper Lee Morgan ,
from Also Known As Harper

“First-time novelist Leal creates complex characters from various walks of life . . . The cards are stacked against Harper and her family, but it is inspiring to watch her find success with a pen, paper, and a little hope.”—Kirkus Reviews

My Books

“Mature beyond her years, able to make the best of a bad situation and blessed with impressive survivor skills, Esther proves an admirable heroine in this poignant story.”—Publishers Weekly

In this enthusiastic, heartfelt, and sometimes humorous ode to bookshops and booksellers, 84 known authors pay tribute to the brick-and-mortar stores they love and often call their second homes.

Also Known As Harper was chosen by the Chicago Public Library for their Best of the Best List of 2009-2010, was an ABC Good Morning America Summer Reading Choice for 2009, and was featured on NBC Nightly News in 2011.  It has been named to several state book award lists, including the Arkansas Charlie May Simon Award, the Iowa Children’s Choice Award, the South Carolina Book Award, the Oregon Battle of the Books, and the William Allen White Award.  She recently contributed to Black Dog & Leventhal’s My Bookstore: Writers Celebrate Their Favorite Places to Browse, Read, and Shop.