Inspired by her Ojibwe culture, 10-year-old girl is now a published author [Video]

MINNEAPOLIS — Thousands of books line the shelves at Birchbark Books & Native Arts in Minneapolis. The small, independent bookstore even has a wall for published authors to sign—but one recently-added autograph stands out among the rest.

“That one right there,” 10-year-old Kiki Garcia said, pointing to her name on the wall. Garcia published her first book when she was 9. 

“I always love sharing stories because sometimes, they have a deeper meaning and that deeper meaning can go a long way,” Garcia said.

Her debut children’s book titled “Fishing By Torchlight,“ featuring illustrations by Erin Kant Barnard, was inspired by her own experiences spearfishing with her dad. “You put on a headlamp, and then you have your spear and then you look for the sign of the eyes of the walleye,” she explained.

The book follows Garcia as the main character as she accompanies fictional characters on a spearfishing trip after dark to …