Character Analysis
Leslie is basically Ishmael's caseworker when he's at Benin Center. He's one of the adults who takes Ishmael under his wing once his home and family are taken from him. After all, Ishmael is still just a kid and he needs all the help he can get. Once Esther starts the work of getting to know Ishmael, Leslie swoops in to help this former boy soldier get fully acclimated to life on the outside, even tracking down family for Ishmael to move in with. Leslie is also the person who tells Ishmael about the opportunity to head to New York City to speak in front of the U.N.