Young Temecula Teen Authors Book, Donating Sales To Anti-Hate Org

TEMECULA, CA — Chaparral High School freshman Melissa Chai could probably convert a lot of doubters into believing that today's teenagers are alright — or even darn stellar.

For starters, talking to the articulate 14-year-old leaves an impression: "Wait, this kid is only in ninth grade?"

There's cheerfulness without nervous giggles when Melissa chats about her AP classes ("I try hard but am far from perfect"), her family, founding her school's chapter of March For Our Lives to end gun violence, joining other campus clubs, participating in mock trials, and competing in gymnastics. Last month, she rallied at a statewide gymnastics competition and took sixth place overall to qualify for the state team.

The Chaparral Puma recalls how on March 25 — the day after her big gymnastics win — she was at Harvey Mudd College to receive props as a regional awardee during the National Center for Women & Information Technology Inland Empire Affiliate Award Celebration.

"I got to talk to college students ... to so many talented and cool people," Melissa said of the campus visit. "I saw all these super-accomplished people and thought, 'I could be like that.'"

The experience opened a door, something altogether different. Over her spring break vacation, Melissa cranked out a 32-page book that she wrote, illustrated and self-published.

"Chinese Idiom Stories" — now available in paperback on Amazon and as a Kindle ebook — includes ancient Chinese stories, known as "chengyu, or idioms, that are widely used in Chinese speech today, similar to Aesop’s Fables," said Melissa, who is herself a first-generation Chinese American. Her parents came to this country because of their homeland's one-child policy and to give their kids more opportunities, according to the teen.

Written in English, the book is beautiful in its simplicity — and depth. Each tale features animals and a moral the reader is supposed to learn by the end, Melissa explained.

"I’m a daughter of immigrants and these short stories were a huge part of my childhood. I wanted to create something that would allow me to share this part of my culture with the world," she said.

The reader is left to ponder each of the book's five idioms, to think critically, without being force-fed meanings.

"I thought it would be better left up to interpretation," said Melissa, who used a drawing app to illustrate the book. The resulting images resemble soft watercolor paintings.

"I’ve always been very passionate about art and have been practicing digital art for the past few years," the teen explained.

The book was an enjoyable process, said Melissa, whose current college plans include law school, thanks to her mock trials experience.

Her family backed her book idea.

"I'm so fortunate to have parents who support me. They're super proud of me. I cannot be more grateful to them. They've always encouraged me to do what I want," she said.

"Chinese Idiom Stories," which Melissa plans to give to all Temecula Valley Unified School District elementary school libraries, is dedicated to her big sister Anni, and "Mom and Dad."

Whatever proceeds the young author receives from the book's sales will go to a cause she believes in.

"I am planning on donating all the money I make to Stop AAPI Hate, a nonprofit organization that works to stand against the racism against Asian American Pacific Islander communities," she said. "I'm very passionate about social issues."

Melissa explained that she has not experienced a lot of racial discrimination but feels many inflammatory remarks directed at the Asian American community go under the radar.

"Especially the whole idea that Asian Americans are the 'model minority'; it makes it seem when Asian Americans experience racism it doesn't matter as much," she said.

The idea that Asian Americans are viewed as hardworking is great, but the stereotype is narrow, Melissa explained.

"We're not allowed to be anything else — I think that is just awful," she said.

For the 14-year-old, challenges, being uncomfortable under stress, are places she wants to be. She discussed the dangers of her sport — where injury can be just one vault away.

"I'm really nervous about a lot of things, but I think that's part of the thrill," said Melissa, who calls the state of mind, an "excited nervousness" that brings her "out of her comfort zone."

One of the idioms in Melissa's book is titled, "The Frog at the Bottom of the Well." A line toward the end of the story begins with, "There is no boundary to where you can go ... ."

Indeed.