A YOUNG Bahraini author’s book about the complications of friendships and value of communication has hit the shelves.
Fatima Jaffer’s Character Unlocked follows Mola, a seventh-grader who utilises her programming skills to create a video game that turns her friends into personalised characters.
She hopes it will help solve her real-life problems and misunderstandings with them. 
However, she discovers that it is important to understand people’s needs rather than simply interacting with a digital version of them.
“The story combines mystery, friendship and challenges that young people can relate to,” Fatima told GulfWeekly.
“I wrote it because I wanted to create a story that teenagers could enjoy and connect with, while also showing that young people can create and publish their own books,” she added.
The new release marks the 14-year-old’s fourth book, as she wrote her debut story World Ruler at 10 years old. 
Her passion for her craft motivated her to puruse many courses and workshops from international educational platforms and institutions.
Fatima is a youth advisory board member at Write the World, a global non-profit organisation founded in 2012 at Harvard University, helping teenagers develop their writing, critical thinking and communication skills.
The creative talent is currently using her skills to mentor fellow creatives in Bahrain and create spaces for them to be bonded by their interests. She is involved in the Mail Club project at GFH Alia National School, which she attends, bringing students together through writing letters, stories and meaningful messages.
“Through the initiative, I’m aiming to create a way of communication between students that implements creativity while encouraging them to express themselves through writing. I’m excited to develop the club further and see where it takes me and those who join it,” she added.
Character Unlocked features striking illustrations and artworks by local artist Fatima Mohammed, complementing the story and offering readers an interesting experience. 
The book is available at select local bookstores. 
For more information, follow @fatimajaafarhelal on Instagram.