I got into bed, burrowed under a spare blanket, and held my sketchbook close, thinking of the story it told, of the world inside that I had to keep safe.

The crack between the two universes was gone, and I didn’t know if I would ever be able to cross between worlds again, but I could hope. Maybe my adventures in my Mysore weren’t finished. Maybe I’d find a way to go back. Until then, I’d live my own story.

So for now, I said goodbye to that other world. And closed the book.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Where do I start? With my parents, who taught me that stories are as necessary as cake, sleep, or air? With my grandfather, who gave me endless gifts of folklore and adventure? With my husband, who makes it possible for me to hide away in a quiet place and write books like this?

Well, I guess I’ve started with all of them. But they’re not the only ones who made this book possible. So here, then, are a few other thank-yous:

To my smart, ferocious agent, Penny Moore, who fights for me, cheers me on, and pushes me to be better than I think I can be.

To Jenny Bak, my brilliant editor at Viking, whose passion for Kiki’s story has been boundless. Thank you for making this book better every time you take another look at it.

To the rest of the incredible, supportive team at Viking: Aneeka Kalia, Delia Davis, Abigail Powers, Mia Alberro, Aliza Amlani, Krista Ahlberg, Kelley Brady, Kate Renner, Kaitlin Kneafsey, and Ken Wright. Working with you all has been such a joy and privilege.

To Nabi H. Ali, for the gorgeous cover art. Thank you for bringing Kiki to life!

To Jem, Henry, and Juno, for reminding me to laugh.

To Freyja, Caitlin, Tilda, Maisie, Evie, Sasha, Sabina, Olivia, and all the other little girls who prove, every day, that there really is no such thing as just a little girl.

Finally, to you. Thank you for sticking with Kiki, and with me.

Love,

Sangu

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sangu Mandanna was four years old when an elephant chased her down a forest road and she decided to write her first story about it. Seventeen years and many, many manuscripts later, she signed her first book deal. She is the author of The Lost Girl and A Spark of White Fire and its sequels, and has contributed to several anthologies. She lives in Norwich, in the east of England, with her husband and kids. Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom is her first middle grade novel.

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