TIFTON — After only one year out of high school, Mary Kathryn Howard is already a published author.

Howard, who is a freshman at Harvard University, wrote the book as part of a program to promote literacy.

Harvard College Children’s Stories is a student organization that makes personalized children’s books for children around the world.

“Every year we partner with a different organization around the world that works with under-privileged children,” Howard said. “They pair us individually with students and give us a bio about the student. We then get to write a story tailored to that individual student and then eventually they get a copy of the book.”

She said that having a book written for them helps inspire learning and literacy.

Howard said her book, “Ana Learns to Read,” was written for a little girl from Honduras named Lesby.

The book follows Lesby and her cat Ana as Lesby teaches Ana to read.

Since the official language of Honduras is Spanish, the book was translated into Spanish with the help of Lily Gao, who was also the illustrator.

Howard said that while she was not able to meet Lesby, she hopes that she will be able to meet the child she is going to write her next book for.

“Hopefully this year there is talk about us actually being able to take the books and present them to the kids because it’s a group in Boston that we’re working with,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to that.”

Howard, who is concentrating on chemical and physical biology with a secondary in theater, dance and media, said that she doesn’t see herself becoming an author.

“My parents were always really, really good about reading to me when I was little,” she said. “I grew up reading all the time and taking AR (Accelerated Reader) tests all the time. I’m really passionate about childhood literacy. I feel that is important, that reading helps inspire creativity and imagination.”

Howard, who was the person who brought “Reading Capitol of the World” mascot Ricky Reader to life, said that she feels she is where she is today because of people taking the time to read to her and she wants to help inspire kids to read books.