The Karate Weirdo (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798313952482)

At the age of 12, Alicia Oliveira navigates life on the autistic spectrum, finding solace in the constant presence of her father and the comfort of her headphones. Her only companions are Willy, a betta fish, and Illona, a schoolmate who is soon relocating to Florida. As Alicia grapples with feelings of isolation, she faces the misunderstanding of her peers and the bullying inflicted by Elida and her friends, who label her as "WEIRDO." The situation worsens when her school performance declines, prompting her to retreat further into her own world to escape her distress, concealing her struggles even from her father, who endeavors to support her.

A turning point occurs when Yoshida, a Karate master battling a serious illness, enters her life, leading to the development of a meaningful friendship. Following yet another incident of humiliation at school, Alicia heeds her father's advice and begins her Karate training.

Gradually, this ancient martial art, designed for those who seek to defend themselves rather than engage in conflict, empowers Alicia with increased self-confidence, focus, and self-awareness. It enables her to recognize her strengths and weaknesses while imparting the understanding that true victory is not achieved through brute force, but through character and intellect. This lesson profoundly transforms her life and her perception of herself in relation to others.