L.B. Tillit is an award-winning author known for her high-interest, easy-to-read books. Her fast-paced stories are packed with real characters and intense plots you can relate to—whether you’re into reading or just need something that won’t bore you. Short, powerful, and impossible to put down, her books are made for teens and adults who like their stories quick and real.
For teens and adults who like their stories quick and real.
I struggled with English.
I was born in the mountains of North Carolina but spent much of my childhood in Switzerland, where my parents served as missionaries. At the time, it was common for missionary kids to attend local schools, so I first learned to read and write in German—even though English was my first spoken language. In third grade, I transitioned to an American International School, where I struggled with English. Still, I loved school. I knew I was different and deeply influenced by the exposure to different cultures and the lessons in tolerance that came with it.
English was not really my second language, since I spoke it. Even though it was my second language when it came to reading and writing it. This meant that I did not fit into the English-as-a-second-language-learner category. But I knew I was different. There was no label that truly defined me. Not until recently. I felt a deep sense of relief when the term multilingual learner appeared. I finally had a way to accurately describe myself—and discovered that so many others fall into this category with me.
After high school, I returned to the U.S. for college and quickly became intrigued by middle school students. That curiosity led me back to the mountains of North Carolina, where I began teaching middle school. Over my sixteen years in education, I had the privilege of working at the local alternative school, supporting students at risk of dropping out. That work became a turning point for me—it earned me the honor of being named the county’s Teacher of the Year and planted the seed for my lifelong mission to support struggling readers.
I knew I was different
With my students, I co-authored and self-published three books on local history, which received awards from the North Carolina Society of Historians. Along the way, I trained in the Wilson Reading Program and earned my National Board Certification. After leaving the classroom, I completed my master’s degree in literacy and reading and went on to found My Easy Read Books—a publishing company devoted to creating accessible, meaningful literature that helps build reading fluency.
Most recently, I was honored to be recognized as a Distinguished Alumni by Berea College for my work with struggling readers and multilingual learners. I currently live in the North Carolina mountains with my husband and our two cats.
Follow me on Facebook or Instagram or contact me at lb@lbtillit.com
I would love to hear from you. Please be patient with me as I try to respond to everyone. Check my L. B. Tillit Answers page where I may have answered some of your questions already. I look forward to hearing from you.