I had always loved to write and my mom was my editor for my school papers.

I decided to go to Latin America because many of my students in Washington emigrated from this region and inspired me to learn more about their home countries.

People ask me if I ever see my father and I say yes, because he puts in the effort. He calls all the time to tell us he's proud of us.

I think I've become more like my mom just because of what we're both interested in, children and teaching and writing.

Luckily I've had a lot of great friends that I've had for a long time.

My dad saw my husband's boss at a conference, and he said to stop paying my husband until we produce children.

I didn't go to Latin America thinking, 'I'm gonna write a book. This is what I'm gonna do.' I went there to work for UNICEF and to learn.