KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Missouriar -- Eleven-year-old author Leonardo Myrick II has launched his latest children's title, Finding My Plate, now available worldwide through Kindle Direct Publishing and Amazon.

Illustrated and self-edited by Leonardo himself—with editorial coaching from Billie Barnes, educator at Pembroke Hill School—the short story invites young readers to explore healthy eating, nutrition, and the social mysteries of the school lunchroom. The book debuted on June 14, 2025, marking Leonardo's third published work before finishing middle school.

"Writing this story was like building the perfect lunch tray—every chapter had to be balanced, colorful, and fun," Leonardo said. "Ms. Barnes helped me trim the broccoli-sized paragraphs and sprinkle in just the right amount of humor. AI tools handled the grammar greens—I served up the flavor!"

La'Nardo Myrick Sr applauded his son's creativity and determination.

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"My son approaches every draft the way I approach creating music—with curiosity and enthusiasm. Watching him refine his ideas into a concise, engaging narrative was exciting and foretelling about his future in this world."

Key Highlights

• Relatable Theme: Tackles school-lunch dilemmas, healthy choices, and the importance of listening to your body—topics often overlooked in children's literature.
• Student-Teacher Collaboration: Demonstrates how mentorship can elevate young voices and strengthen concise storytelling.
• AI-Enhanced Editing: Leonardo used generative AI for grammar checks and sentence polishing, proving that tech can empower student authors.
• Buddy Bench: Importance of having school children make friend and help each out.

Availability
Finding My Plate is on sale now in Kindle and paperback formats:
https://www.amazon.es/Finding-my-Plate-LaNardo-Myrick/dp/B0FCYCWMBF

About the Author
Leonardo Myrick II is a Kansas City native, chess enthusiast, and proud Pembroke Hill student. When he's not writing, you'll find him exploring new recipes or illustrating future story ideas—often at the same time.