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“People should be empowered to make a difference.” That’s Isabelle DeLeo’s mission.
Fourteen-year-old DeLeo, a Winchester resident in ninth grade, has written and self-published her first book, “Fiction For Justice: Changing the World One Story at a Time.”
I started to read her book immediately after I received a copy, and couldn’t put it down. There are five short stories andeEach one is different with different characters.
The stories explore topics like friendship, homelessness, moving to a foreign country, bullying, and coping with a school shooting. The main narrators are female.
I asked DeLeo to tell me, in her own words, what social justice means to her.
“If you see something wrong in life, do something about it,” she said. “There are many people who don’t have a voice. I want to help people.”
She considers herself lucky. But there are others who are not so fortunate.
DeLeo gives back by helping at book and food drives, bake sales, and donations to Ukraine. They all make a difference.
“Fiction For Justice” was written in four months. Her book is dedicated to several people who helped her.
Emily Horwitz, for example, has been her English teacher and mentor since sixth grade.
“Izzy’s book represents her love of writing, her breadth of knowledge, and her empathy,” Horwitz said. “This project shows how she took her learning well beyond the course or the classroom, courageously and generously engaging with the larger world.”
DeLeo wrote her book while attending school, doing homework, participating in sports, and spending time with her many friends. She is already thinking what her next book will be about.
When DeLeo heard about the upcoming Independent Author Fest at Book Ends on Nov. 22, featuring local independent authors, she headed down to the store with copies of her book.
The owners were impressed, and DeLeo will have an opportunity to tell attendees about “Fiction For Justice” and answer questions.
Winchester resident Charlene Band is a Town Meeting member.
