1882 Darwin died at age 73.

About Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, Sabina Radeva (Puffin, 2019)

Darwin: The Man, His Great Voyage, and His Theory of Evolution, John van Whye (André Deutsch, 2018)

Inside the Beagle with Charles Darwin, Fiona MacDonald and Mark Bergin (Book House, 2015)

What Mr. Darwin Saw, Mick Manning and Brita Granström (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 2009)

Who Was Charles Darwin? Deborah Hopkinson (Penguin, 2005)

About Queen Victoria

My Name Is Victoria, Lucy Worsley (Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2017)

V&A Introduces: Queen Victoria, (Puffin, 2019)

With heartfelt thanks to:

My agent, Laura Williams. You are my trusted ally through good times and bad, my honest guide and enthusiastic supporter. You trust my wild ideas and rein me in just the right amount. I wouldn’t want to be doing this without you.

My editor, Rachel Leyshon. You found a historical middle-grade heart to me that I never knew I had, and this story wouldn’t exist without our creative collaboration on the initial ideas. I truly appreciate you giving me the space to explore, and the opportunity to write something completely different. I’m so happy I made you cry!

My publisher, Barry Cunningham. You gave me the choice of which way to go with this book and the confidence to follow the route the story had naturally taken. It made the process a true pleasure. The final flight is for you.

Elinor for launching this voyage around the world on December 27, just like the Beagle. Jazz, Esther, Kesia, and all the brilliant Chicken House coop for your detailed input, creativity, and kindness.

The team who worked on the stunning UK cover. It’s better than anything I could have imagined due to the vision of Rachel Hickman, the design skill of Steve Wells, and the gorgeous artwork of Gordy Wright. Flaps and maps! I am so delighted.

My US editor, Sam Palazzi, and all the team at Scholastic USA for embracing my story with the full force of your enthusiasm. I adore the cover design by Kiersten Geise and the striking artwork by Berat Pekmezci.

A Discovery of Dragons arrived during a turbulent time. Just after I sold this book, I became seriously ill with an anxiety disorder. I spent months out of myself, and out of the world. I didn’t write again until I was ready, and then this story was kind to me and came easily. So the following people also deserve special thanks for carrying me through that time and having faith when I didn’t. Mostly for being quietly there.

All my friends, old and new, online and in person. My uni crew, there for each other for the last twenty-one years through anything life throws us, a huge support. My work friends and colleagues who cheer me on, and the management team, who was so kind and understanding as I transitioned back into teaching. The home gang, who’ve swept me up when I needed it. To Stuart White, for your trust and empathy, and the #writementor community—because helping other people has really helped me. To the many writing friends who are there for me, but a special mention for Sarah Harris and Giles Paley-Phillips and all the help, patience, and endless chats.