That Ma Yan is a 16 year old published author from a northern Chinese village is noteworthy enough. But tack on the fact that Ma Yan was a 12 year old schoolgirl when she wrote her now published diary which has been translated into 9 languages and you’ve got the N.Y. Times taking notice. Ma Yan’s diary was discovered by French reporter Pierre Haski when Ma’s mother gave him her writings while he was visiting their village with a photographer. The girl wrote of her disappointment at having to stay at home to support her family while her brothers attended school. Haski published her story in the newspaper Libération and readers responded with their sympathy in the form of donations. Haski soon returned to visit Ma Yan and her family with money and a book contract. Ma has returned to school and her proceeds have funded the education of other local children. She now has ambitions to attend university and become a journalist herself.