Falcon Forum was full of inspirational and motivational speakers last week, including author Lamar Giles who writes novels and short stories aimed at teens and young adults. Giles is also a founding member of We Need Diverse Books.

So, when Effective Reading skills teacher Dr. Nichelle Ricks took her class watch Giles at the forum, her students found him engaging, interesting, and someone they’d like to know more about. And, when Giles read a passage aloud from his newest and soon to be published novel, Overturned, the students were enthralled.

At her students’ urging, Ricks emailed Giles and asked if it would be possible to send a signed copy of Overturned for her students as they wanted to read his forthcoming mystery/thriller themselves.

Giles not only emailed Ricks back immediately, but sent six signed copies of his novel to students.

“The students were so excited to get their new books and stated that ‘they couldn’t wait to read their new novel’,” Ricks said.