My editor, Kaylan Adair, without whose long, detailed, and insightful editorial letters and comments, this book simply would not exist. Also to Betsy Uhrig and Hannah Mahoney, for their diligent and detailed copyediting; Jackie Shepherd for her wonderful cover; and Nathan Pyritz for his help, and patience, with the interior design. And to all of Candlewick Press for being a place where such books are nurtured and supported.

My agent, Stephen Barbara, for his unwavering support and attention, and for bringing me to Candlewick in the first place.

My elementary- and high-school buddies Jed, Joel, David, Ken, George, Jon, and Tom, for answering my queries about the past, sharing their memories, and correcting mine. Also to Anita and Rick (wherever you are), for sharing so much of that summer.

Copyright

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or, if real, are used fictitiously.

Copyright © 2019 by Todd Strasser

Cover illustration based on artwork copyright © 2019 by Shutterstock

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in an information retrieval system in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, taping, and recording, without prior written permission from the publisher.

First electronic edition 2019

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 2018961332

Candlewick Press

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Somerville, Massachusetts 02144