A few years ago, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Uganda for the international launch of my book — and it changed me in ways I'm still processing. From the moment I landed in Kampala, I was surrounded by warmth, curiosity, and a deep love of storytelling that reminded me exactly why I became an author.

One of the most moving experiences was visiting the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Seeing these magnificent, endangered creatures up close — and knowing that raising awareness about their survival is part of my mission as a writer — made everything feel so much more real and urgent.

I'm grateful for every school visit, every young reader who raised their hand, and every conversation about why representation in books matters. More adventures are coming. Stay tuned.