Thanks to the TV shows, movies, books, creators, characters, and games that inspire me: Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton, Thor: Ragnarok, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Firefly, Doctor Who, CW’s The Flash, Voltron: Legendary Defender, Final Fantasy XV, BBC’s Sherlock, Megan Whalen Turner’s Queen’s Thief series (read it—seriously), and The Good Place.

Thank you to Paige, superhero librarian and passionate champion of books.

Thank you to my family and friends. I especially want to thank my magnificent best friend, Britton, whose encouragement and take-no-prisoners boldness brings me life every day.

Thank you to my husband, Caleb, whose steadfastness (read: willingness to put up with me) often astounds me.

Thank you to my daughter—my little girl, full of fire—for lighting up my life with her zeal, curiosity, and kindness. May I someday be worthy of you.

Thank you to the God who walked me through my own shadows, even—especially?—when I didn’t want to face them.

And last, thank you to my readers. The book that you hold in your hands is my soul. It was both the most fulfilling and the scariest thing that I’ve ever written, and part of it will always belong to you now.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Naomi Hughes grew up all over the United States before finally settling in the Midwest, a place she loves even though it tries to murder her with tornadoes every spring. She writes quirky young adult fiction full-time. When she’s not writing, she likes to knit, travel with her husband and daughter, and geek out over British TV and Marvel superheroes.

Newsletter Sign-up

Thank you for buying this

Page Street Publishing Co. ebook.

To receive special offers, bonus content,

and info on new releases and other great reads,

sign up for our newsletters.

Or visit us online at

us.macmillan.com/newslettersignup

Copyright

Copyright © 2019 Naomi Hughes

First published in 2019 by

Page Street Publishing Co.

27 Congress Street, Suite 105

Salem, MA 01970

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

eISBN 978-1-62414-891-0

Our eBooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, extension. 5442, or by e-mail at [email protected].

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019934491

Cover design by Rosie Stewart for Page Street Publishing Co. Image of boy © Shutterstock / Nejron Photo