Lindsay Currie, an award-winning horror and mystery writer for intermediate grades, visited all three USD 232 middle schools on Thursday, October 17, thanks to a grant from the USD 232 Education Foundation. The presentations provided an impactful opportunity for mystery fans and inspiring authors to interact with an author.

Nikki Leisten, the Library Media Specialist at Lexington Trails Middle School, developed the proposal to request grant funds from the USD Education Foundation which would support efforts to invite an author to speak with middle school-aged students about writing as a craft. Thanks to the approval of these funds and additional support from the district, this opportunity was quickly opened up to Mill Creek Middle School and Monticello Trails Middle School as additional locations for an author to speak.

Finding the right author that would be of interest to a middle school audience was no small task, and Lindsay Currie fit the bill. She being a well-known author of mysteries for young readers and who also recently received 2023 William Allen White Award for her book Scritch, Scratch. In addition to writing and to researching forgotten history, Mrs. Currie enjoys speaking at schools. This favorite pastime allows her the opportunity to interact and inspire students and their vast imaginations. Working with school administration and the respective Media Specialist, Mrs. Currie spent approximately one-hour at each middle school. Each visit included a presentation on what inspires her to write, time to answer student questions and book signings.