Recently, someone asked me a question that lingered in my mind: “Is Isla you?” I hesitated momentarily, then replied with a simple yet complex “yes and no.”

You see, Isla Delgado, the young protagonist of “Mrs. Franchy’s Evil Ring and the Six Months that Changed Everything,” is a mosaic of influences in my life. She’s not merely a reflection of me; she’s a glimpse of my big sister, a fragment of my stepdaughter, and a generous helping of the nine-year-old I once longed to become.

In the story, Isla conquers her trauma, albeit through a series of comical and poignant misconceptions. Her victory is starkly different from my personal narrative. As a nine-year-old, I grappled with unspoken words, trapped in a web of guilt that held my thoughts captive. It took the lens of adulthood to realize that I needed to speak up. But back then, I pondered, how much power did I truly possess?

Throughout my life, I’ve been fortunate to witness two young girls who understood and harnessed their personal power to voice their opinions.

My big sister, Laura, was my first inspiration. She possessed a fierce voice that sometimes stirred controversy among the adults around us. Some deemed her a ‘bad’ child, while others questioned my grandma’s discipline. To me, she was a beacon of courage who articulated what I yearned to say, faced consequences head-on, and continued to express herself.

Later in life, my stepdaughter emerged as another example. Stubborn as her father and reminiscent of my sister, she held onto her convictions with unwavering determination. Right or wrong, she articulated her thoughts fearlessly. I couldn’t help but admire this trait in her.

So, when I reflect on Isla Delgado, I see shades of myself, my sister, and my stepdaughter intertwined in her character. But more profoundly, Isla embodies the spirit of a child who fearlessly wields her voice to demand respect from the adults in her life.

This, dear readers, is the essence I want the young minds diving into “Mrs. Franchy’s Evil Ring and the Six Months that Changed Everything” to take away from this story. It’s a narrative that whispers to the child within all of us, urging us to find our voice, embrace our personal power, and courageously speak our truth.

In the enchanting world of Isla Delgado, we discover that our voices have the strength to change everything.