By Diya Cheruku
Hello, my name is Diya Cheruku. I am the daughter of Indian immigrant parents, making me the first generation Indian American. I have a sister who is one year younger than me. I am in 7th grade and I am the author of “Holiday Mysteries: The Magic Box.” It's a book about two young sisters who go on an adventure in San Francisco.
I started writing short stories when I was about 8 years old. I would read fantasy books and write little extensions of the story and how I imagined it would continue. I kept writing these little extra imaginary stories and then slowly started writing my own. I would use a journal that I found and whenever I had free time I would write short stories. When I was 11 I wrote a story in my diary One day my parents asked me if I wanted to make it a real story. When they told me about the idea, I didn't like it. I thought it would be impossible for me and that I was way too young to write a real book.
I continued writing my short stories, until a story I was writing really connected to me, my life, and my family. I reconsidered the idea of writing my own book, and thought that since the family in the story was similar to mine, maybe other people my age would relate to it. I started writing and decided to make the two main characters sisters. I wrote for a few months, and then I started to wonder if two sisters would really live up to the role of adventurers and courageous women.
After reaching the middle of the book, I started to feel like my book wouldn't be good enough to be published, and like the main characters were Indians and also girlsI thought people wouldn't be very interested in it. Then I had writer's block and stopped writing for a few weeks. After that, I sat down and opened my computer again, and so many ideas came to me, and I couldn't stop writing.
After thinking about new ideas, the nature of America and the diversity of its country, I thought that it didn't matter whether the main character was a girl or a boy, an Indian or an American. I decided that as long as I liked the story, I could continue. I kept writing and eventually finished my book.
Once finished, we looked for publishing houses, but many of the people we asked for help turned us down, mostly because I am a new author. I received many rejections and the doubts that my book was not good enough left me extremely discouraged. Nine months passed and we finally found a publishing house that was willing to help me publish my book. I finally finished and published it after many obstacles and setbacks.
I hope my book inspires people to go on adventures, explore the great American outdoors, and spend quality time with their families. I believe that whatever your goal is, whatever your age, gender, and situation, as long as you put your mind to it, you can achieve it. But it's important to set a goal.
Diya Cheruku is 13 years old and started writing short stories when she was just 8 years old. She began writing her first book, “Vacation Mysteries: The Magic Box,” in September 2022, when she was 11 years old. It took her 9 months to write the book. When 11-year-old Priya and her little sister discover a box with six mysterious keyholes in their basement, they quickly realize they have stumbled upon the adventure of a lifetime. Their investigation takes them to San Francisco, where they encounter iconic landmarks and treasured heritage sites while searching for the keys to open the box. Along the way, they uncover truths about their own family, revealing a puzzling origin story that spans generations. Diya’s book offers an authentic and relatable perspective, inspired by her passion for American history, her Indian-American heritage, and her belief in the power of womanhood. “Vacation Mysteries: The Magic Box” is a captivating story that fosters curiosity, learning, and the timeless joy of reading.
