A pseudonym used by Leslie Esdaile Banks, she also wrote under the names: Leslie E. Banks Leslie Esdaile Leslie Esdaile Banks Leslie Banks Alexis Grant L.A. Banks, a native Philadelphian, was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton undergraduate program. With many awards to her credit, Banks also held a masters of fine arts degree in film and media arts from Temple University. She lived in Philadelphia with her family until she passed away on the morning of August 2, 2011. Visit L.A. Banks' page on the Macmillan website: http://us.macmillan.com/author/labanks