Class: Familiar

These molelike Beasts have handy tracking Lore due to their excellent sense of smell. They can sniff out a source of fire or water over four miles away.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Like Barclay, this story swept me on an unexpected adventure, and I would not have made it to the end without the support of many people who ventured into the Woods with me.

To my agent, Whitney Ross, who immediately understood the heart of this book and made it shine: thank you for believing in me at a time when my self-confidence was deeply shaken. I am lucky to have you as a champion.

To my editor, Kate Prosswimmer: thank you for the cheers, the phone calls, the brainstorming sessions, the spreadsheets, the incredible feedback, and the overwhelming amount of enthusiasm and guidance. I could not have found a savvier or more amazing partner for this tale, and I very much look forward to the next adventure.

To the rest of the team at McElderry, including Nicole Fiorica, Justin Chanda, Karen Wojtyla, and Bridget Madsen: thank you for giving Barclay a fantastic home. And thank you to Chrissy Noh, Lisa Moraleda, and Shivani Annirood for helping this series find its way into the hands of readers.

Thank you to Petur Antonnson, who illustrated an absolutely breathtaking cover. And to Sonia Chaghatzbanian and Karyn Lee for designing this book to be as fun and beastly as its contents. (I am still not over the mushrooms!!!)

To Christine Lynn Herman, the first person I confided in when I decided to attempt a middle grade novel: thank you for being my best friend.

Thank you to my early readers, including Axie Oh, Sarah Glenn Marsh, Tara Sim, and Amanda Haas—without your enthusiasm, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to keep going. Thank you to the Philadelphia Low Groggery collective, including Katherine Locke for the mushroom knowledge and Alex London for reminding me that I needed to just write the book I wanted to write. Thank you to Akshaya Raman, the savviest of world-builders, and to the rest of my critique group, including Meg Kohlmann, Melody Simpson, Katy Rose Pool, Janella Angeles, Erin Bay, Kat Cho, Claribel Ortega, Mara Fitzgerald, Alex Castellanos, Maddy Colis, and Ashley Burdin—there is no one else I would rather be in a cult with. And thank you to Rory Power, for the group chats and writer retreats, to Allison Dillon, for cheering me on, and to Zoe Sivak, Viola’s honorary big sister.

To Lauren Magaziner: thank you for welcoming me to the world of middle grade, as well as for being a fantastic friend.

To my fiancé: thank you for being my hooman.

To Jelly Bean: thank you for inspiring Mitzi’s wild antics.

To my brothers: thank you Ryan, fellow Pokémon Master, and thank you Connor, for my very first and favorite Wilderlore fan art.

To my YA readers who followed me to these books: your support truly makes me feel like the luckiest of writers. You are all part of the wilds now.