Anita Finds Her Magic tells the story of creative teens in Chicago who are seeking a place to learn and practice their art. Inspired, written, and illustrated by an alumni and current student from Chicago's first public high school for the arts, this book shows how the city's arts scene is flourishing with the diversity of artists who've been given a voice through arts education.

Ysobel Gallo is a people-watcher: on the bus, on the streets, at the lunch tables. All the characters in this story are based on real people and places she has seen in her community. The initial plot was inspired by a drumming instructor who lived down the street and filled the evenings with beats. Outside of these interests, Ysobel is currently a student in the Creative Writing Conservatory at The Chicago High School for the Arts. She has received silver medals in the regional Scholastic Art and Writing Awards for both fiction and poetry. 

Jane Manfredi knows just what it is like to audition for a spot at The Chicago High School for the Arts. She graduated from the first ever class in 2013 and went on to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she graduated with a BFA in 2017. Jane currently lives in Asheville, NC, where she is pursuing a career as an independent illustrator. This is Jane's first children's book.

Published: First edition (February 23, 2018)

ISBN 13: 978-0998522265