My name is Alya Nuri. I am nine years old and am a voracious reader. I have already ploughed my way through over 1600 books, and have been inspired to make a change in the world. I campaign to encourage children and adults to say no to addictive habits. "You could be healthier and you could use your brain more, if you stay away from things that are bad for you." I was born to Afghani parents who immigrated to America, and I started writing when I was just seven years old. By the age of eight I became the author of a series Things Every Kid Should Know, with a basic purpose of creating awareness about smoking, alcohol and drugs amongst children my own age. "The sooner they know to say no, the better." Following in the footsteps of my mother who is an author, speaker and business coach in Indiana, I want to help others by writing books and articles. “When my mother said she was going to write her first book, I told her I would do it too.” I am currently in 6th grade through a home schooling curriculum. As well as hoping to be a vet, I want to continue writing books about health: obesity, asthma, diabetes affecting children. I love to read, paint, swim, play soccer and watch the Deen Show. My greatest motivation stems from the teachings of Islam.