Of course, I need to thank a million other people. I’m indebted to my family of origin, and my kids, as always. But especially, for this particular book, I want to thank my chosen family. Most of all my husband, Chris Poma, and my best friend, Susan Gray. I don’t know who I’d be without the two of you.

I want to thank the families I was lucky enough to find in Chattanooga and Iowa City, so many years ago—roommates and coworkers, musicians and writers. And more recently in Atlanta—my Ormewood Park neighbors, our ANCS school community, Congregation Bet Haverim, and the Atlanta Havurah. As well as the family of friends who support me daily, especially the women of the LSG, the Hamline MFAC program, and the small circle of other writers who read for me, share, and listen. I’ve decided not to try to name everyone here. There are just too many people who matter, and I live in fear of leaving someone out. But I hope you all know who you are.

I’d like to thank AIR Serenbe for granting me a generous Mulberry Street Focus Fellowship, and the gift of time and silence in a beautiful place.

Naturally, I need to thank everyone at Walden Pond Press and HarperCollins, the folks who helped me make this book. Especially Jordan Brown, an editor who sees what I mean to say before I do, and Debbie Kovacs, who is an actual fairy godmother. Special thanks to Ramona Kaulitzki for a cover that captures both the dazzle and the shadow of being thirteen. And much gratitude to Sylvie Shaffer, for reading with kind and honest eyes.

Lastly, I need to thank Tina Dubois—my agent and dear friend. Five years ago, when I first attempted to write this book, Tina was incredibly honest with me about what I needed to do. I wasn’t able to handle her advice at that time, and I set the book aside. But when—years later—I felt up to the task, it was Tina’s patience and startling intelligence that made it possible to reimagine this story. To make it what it needed to be. I couldn’t do this job without her.

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About the Author

LAUREL SNYDER is the author of picture books and novels for children, including National Book Award nominee Orphan Island and the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner Charlie & Mouse. A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, she currently teaches in Hamline University’s MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program. She lives in Atlanta with her family and can be found online at www.laurelsnyder.com.

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Books by Laurel Snyder

Orphan Island

Seven Stories Up

Bigger than a Bread Box

Penny Dreadful

Any Which Wall

Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains

About the Publisher

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