UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE

HarperCollins Publishers

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Acknowledgments

Enormous thanks to my editor, Barbara Lalicki, for her warmth, insight, and encouragement. Also to Maria Gomez, Alexandra Bracken, and the entire team at HarperCollins Children’s—I can’t say thank you enough.

I’m eternally grateful to my agent, Catherine Drayton, who took a huge chance on me. I don’t know where I’d be right now if it wasn’t for that first international call and my mad scramble to find a spot in my house with good cell reception. (Or that first cup of tea when I realized it was all real.) Also, kudos to the staff at InkWell Management for their extra help in getting this book rolling.

To my parents, thank you for so elegantly doing the impossible: keeping me grounded while telling me to reach for the stars. To Robert, thank you for your patience, humor, and endless ability to deal with the crazy. You’re proof that, sometimes, we win big.

To my amazing sounding board: Melissa Peters Allgood, Beth Prykryl, Krissy Carlson, as well as Andrea, Sarah, Tonya, Brandy, Jason, and a myriad of other cheerleaders. You’re ridiculous. I love you all.

And finally, to Melissa Thompson and Mandy Haskins—this book would not have happened without you. Hands in, forever.