14-year-old girl’s book launched

Memoirs of a Billie Joe Fanatic, a 14-year-old girl’s book,was launched at a local restaurant on Saturday. The book consists of 20 fascinating short stories and artwork, touching upon various issues of daily life. The author, Ayesha Ali Khan, studies in class 8 at the Lahore Grammar School (LGS) and wrote these short stories at the age of 12. Family members and guests present at the book launch were moved by the outstanding pieces of literature and art by the 14-year-old.
Ayesha wrote the stories in style of a multi-talented author who has the ability to present a particular situation by using a variety of words knitted precisely. Ayesha said that she wrote these stories two years ago and her parents gave her a pleasant surprise just two days ago by having her book published. Talking to Pakistan Today, she thanked her parents for giving her such a surprise and advised young writers, “Life without a goal is a pencil without a sharpener”. Former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, educationist Nasreen Kasuri, John Proctor, Naz Mumtaz and Ayesha’s parents spoke on the occasion. Ayesha’s father Masood Ali Khan said that it was a joy to see his daughter’s profound imagination at such a young age and the capacity for writing and painting. He also credited the LGS for wonderfully grooming his daughter.
Kasuri lauded efforts of Ayesha while Nasreen said that she was pleasantly surprised by the efforts of the young girl. She said that Ayesha’s handling of English was brilliant and she has a bright future ahead. Naz Aftab, who guided Ayesha in her work, termed her a born writer and also appreciated her sense of dealing with the situation while writing. Ayesha’s mother Fauzia hoped that this book would motivate Ayesha to continue her wonderful writing and artwork, which would also inspire youngsters to read the magnificent work of Ayesha. She said that it was her dream to see Ayesha’s work published and it has come true.
Ayesha’s short stories were followed by a wonderful artwork, exhibiting the situation through wonderful drawings. She often combines both literature and artwork in the form of comics that she illustrates and writes. John Proctor presented a critical analysis of the book saying that each short story urges you to read the whole story. Jewels on a Football Field, Maddys’ Limp, The Last Snap, Bring Back Josie and Enough is Enough are some of her short stories. Ayesha’s brother Akbar said that this book was a compilation of her best work of literature and artwork coming together into one captivating and colorful exhibit of imagination and talent. From the early age of 7, Ayesha has been passionately interested in drawing and now runs a very successful artist’s page on deviant art, he added.