Who are you?
Hello, my name is Leanne Odoom. I’m one of the 2023 Culture and Globalisation Leaders. Ghana is where I was born. I was three years old when my family relocated to New Zealand, where I’ve since grown up alongside my two other brothers. I’m thankful for being raised with younger and older brothers because I can always rely on them and trust that they will always support me.
When you’re not reading, what do you love doing?
Netball is a sport that I enjoy playing in my free time. When I was five years old, my mother enrolled me in netball. I immediately fell in love with the game and have been playing ever since. I like to bake because I can create yummy foods to eat and share with my family. I like to unwind by watching Netflix shows. Derry Girls is currently one of my favourite shows to watch on Netflix.
Tell us a brilliant book memory.
I’ve always enjoyed reading. My father would take my brothers and me to the Albany Library every Saturday afternoon, and we could choose as many books as we wanted to read throughout the week. This is where my love for reading first began. I used to pack a backpack full of novels that I was interested in reading, and by the end of the week, I would’ve finished reading them all.
What are some books you’ve encountered (and enjoyed) at school?
The Outsiders, a book by S.E. Hinton, was a book I enjoyed reading in school. I had to read it for English in Year 10. In sum, Ponyboy Curtis, the protagonist, recalls one summer in the story. Ponyboy is the youngest of three orphaned brothers; after their parents passed away, the oldest brother became his guardian. The Curtis brothers and their friends make up the Greasers, a gang. The Socs are the rival “gang” from the more wealthy part of town. Ponyboy and his group of greasers frequently clash with the Socs, which has led to an increase in the level of hostility and violence between the gangs. Ponyboy is driven to mature quickly and put his youthful naivety behind him as a result of these circumstances. Ponyboy faces moral dilemmas in a society that he perceives as being hostile to him; Ponyboy feels he is an outsider. This novel has made me realise just how easily peers can shape young people’s opinions, thus making it crucial to surround ourselves with positive influences.
What do you love about our Library?
The atmosphere in the Library is wonderful. The Librarians are friendly and inviting. The Librarians are always incredibly helpful, whether it is finding a book to read that I would enjoy or one to use for research for an assignment. The Silent Study Room is wonderfully serene. It is a place where I can focus entirely on my current task without becoming sidetracked.
What’s a book that’s changed your mind about something?
I no longer try to fit in, thanks to R.J. Palacio’s book Wonder. The norm is sometimes considered as the appropriate way to act by the community. However, there are occasions when it is wise not to follow the crowd. The primary character of Wonder, August (Auggie) Pullman, was born with a serious facial difference that kept him out of normal school until now. Auggie is entering the fifth grade at Beecher Prep and wants to be treated like any other person, but his new classmates are put off by his facial features. The author highlights a social problem as how society unfairly discriminates against people who have physical differences. Auggie encounters bullying at his new school as a result of his appearance. On the other side, despite all of the bad things that happen to him, Auggie constantly strives to stay optimistic. Throughout the narrative, Auggie demonstrates that it is acceptable to be different when you were born to be just like everyone else.
Why do you think people should read?
I believe reading is good for you because it exposes you to new concepts and encourages analytical thought, both of which help with problem-solving.
Reading is a great way to unwind while letting your mind wander to new thoughts and put yourself in someone else’s shoes. You imagine yourself in the character’s position as you read. Your mind goes beyond the words on a page and creates images of people’s faces, feelings, and environments. I believe reading is good for you because it exposes you to new concepts and encourages analytical thought, both of which help with problem-solving.
Reading is a great way to unwind while letting your mind wander to new thoughts and put yourself in someone else’s shoes. You imagine yourself in the character’s position as you read. Reading will help you learn new things and broaden your horizons. One day, I’d like to travel, but in the meanwhile, I’m exploring through books. Reading about the current history of other nations and their old civilisations has helped me comprehend different cultures better. Although I haven’t visited these civilisations yet, reading has helped me better understand them.
Who would you love to have lunch with (dead or alive)?
I would love to have lunch with Martin Luther King Jr. I want to learn from his optimistic outlook on life and his viewpoint on equality as he continued to peacefully advocate for African-Americans’ rights despite the opposition he encountered at the time. I’d like to hear about the struggles he faced in the real world during the civil rights movement. I’m interested in learning about his challenges and what it was like to live in a culture where you went to school or where you got a bus seat was determined by the colour of your skin.
What are some mottos you live by?
Everything important in life takes time. This motto reminds me to keep working hard towards my life goals and dreams, and not give up.
I can do everything in my power to affect the outcome of a situation and expect to see results when I think I should see results. In reality, I only have so much in my immediate control. Sure, I can influence how certain things turn out by the choices I make and the things I do today, but the best things in life aren’t always as foreseeable. They need to be nurtured, fostered, planned for, and put into action in order to grow from a string of modest achievements into something truly remarkable.
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