Sharjah: Rebecca Mary John, the youngest author to launch a book at the Sharjah International Book Fair 2013, has dome it again. Launching her second book, Musings of a Teenager, yesterday at the Expo Centre Sharjah, the 14 year-old continues to use poetry as a tool to convey idea, moments and events that have taken place in her life.
“The second book deals with more serious topics that relate to various aspects of life such as patriotism, God’s love, the circle of life and death,” John told Gulf News. She explained that one of her poems was also used by Dubai Police for an anti-drug campaign last year.
Currently a student in grade nine at The Indian High School in Dubai, John, who started writing at the age of eight, has already published a book titled The Musings of a Young Girl — the first of a series of books she plans to write.
“The first book depicts a child’s mind and what a child would find joy in seeing or doing.”
Planning to write a series of books under the titles The Musings of A Young Lady and The Musings of A Wife, John said she will continue to write poetry based on her thoughts and experiences over the years to come. “Every child-person has a latent talent which is god-given — so identify that particular talent, nurture it and use it for the welfare of mankind,” said John.
The high school student said she aims to pursue a bachelors degree in science and complete both her masters and doctorate degrees. “I want to then follow in the footsteps of my mother, who is an Assistant Professor in Manipal University in Dubai — but I will not abandon my passion for poetry and will definitely continue writing.”
John is also the winner of the Shaikh Hamdan Award for Distinguished Academic performance 2014. The award is in recognition of a student’s all-round abilities over a three-year assessment period. It examines a student’s academics and extra-curricular activities such as sports, contribution to society, leadership qualities, religious, cultural and charitable activities.
