When Makenzie Lee Foster sets her mind to do something, she gets it done. Not only did she set out to write her first book at 8-years-old, but it was also an award winner.
Foster’s first children’s book Kickin’ it with Kenzie – What’s Meant For Me Will Be teaches children to follow their dreams and that nothing will come easy, it all takes work. The book won a Moonbeam Award and was a finalist in the Indie Book Awards.
Foster recalls her initial experience as an author saying, “I wanted to write a story that put out a positive message for children. I started bugging my Mom to write my own book when I was 4 or 5. After my first book came out, I was able to visit classrooms and read to other children that may not see many African American people. I live in a very small community, and only 1% of the town is African American (Clayton, CA). It’s very hard to be an African American author because I feel like we are expected to write books about certain things/topics. Many assume my book is about African American hair confidence or something like that. I love books like that, but I wanted to make books that connect with issues that all children face. I wanted to show that I am the same as them…I didn’t want to continue to separate myself. I am human just like everyone else.”
Luckily My Luck Is Me, the second book in Foster’s series centers around Kenzie finding a coin with special powers that bring her luck. As the story progresses, she somehow loses the coin and fears that her luck is gone forever. She sets out on a journey with her dog, Josie, to figure out what the real source of her luck could be now that the coin is gone.
As if being an accomplished author isn’t enough, Foster is also an actress who has had a recurring role on This Is Us as well as a regular role in season one of Netflix’s Emily’s Wonder Lab. She is also currently part of a commercial campaign for Rocket Mortgage which premiered during the Superbowl.
This is one phenomenal kid!
Luckily My Luck Is Me will be available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and BookBaby on Feb. 23 and can be pre-ordered now.
