Meet the 14-year-old Editor of Yaldah

Here at JVibe , we know all the work that goes into cranking out a national magazine every other month (typically, the experience involves at least three days of yelling, "WE'VE GOT A DEADLINE TO MAKE! MOVE IT, PEOPLE!!!" Which is why we have to give it up to 14-year-old Leah Larson, a teen from Holliston, Mass, who is publishing her very own magazine: Yaldah (Hebrew translation: Girl), for Jewish girls.

The eighth grader had an early start with writing and all things literary. Her childhood is filled with writing stories, essays, poems, and even creating her own illustrations. Two of her pieces were published in the national publications American Girl and New Moon (she won $300 for an article in the latter magazine!), both national magazines for girls.

Then in November 2003, she figured, why not put out her own magazine? Yaldah, a quarterly magazine for girls 8 to 14, is packed with "kosher" stories and articles by and for observant Jewish girls. She has featured stories, for example, on "fun tzedaka projects" and cool Purim costumes.

When does she have time to publish her own magazine? Right after her homework is done. While other kids are watching "The O.C." and "American Idol," Leah is busy creating lists of story ideas and thoughts for future issues. She spent all of last summer working on the magazine.

And the publication is doing well. She sold 150 copies within two months, and is busy working on a third issue, which she should come out around Passover. According to Leah, "A lot of people said they were very pleased with the first edition." Mostly people are hearing about the magazine through word of mouth, particularly at Jewish day schools.

Want to learn more? Visit www.yaldahmagazine.com.