Much of what became the central concepts of both time travel and the Vault of Magical Artifacts was hatched during brainstorming sessions with my son, Kevin. He has the makings of a master storyteller, and I’m proud to say (and not only as a mother, but as a fellow writer) that he’s pursuing that career path in earnest. His imagination is dazzling, and he knows what it means to tap the emotional core of a character. As the saying goes, watch this space.

I lucked into a collaborative critique partnership with one of the best writers in the kid-lit world, Jen Cervantes. Jen was with me from the very start of this story, and I thank my lucky stars for that! She’s an amazing editor. Not only did she read every word of this manuscript, she read every word at least twice—and she read a lot of words that ended up on the cutting-room floor—with nary a complaint, and often with the most constructive detailed criticism a writer could wish for. I owe you so many abrazos, mi amiga. ¡Y hasta la próxima vez!

My agent, Erin Murphy, not only vets my work before submission, she edits my work before submission, and that is truly a gift. And she provides the strongest shoulders, warmest smiles, sincerest hugs, and the most intelligent observations and determined support—honestly, I don’t know what I would do without you, Erin, and the entire EMLA team and family.

Aneeka Kalia, assistant editor at Viking, stepped in to provide invaluable oversight and guidance. Kate Renner is the talented designer and Jen Bricking did the brilliant cover and illustrations. Thank you all.

And where would I be without Janet Pascal, easily the best copy editor in the business? Thank you, Janet, for making time for my book! And to Anne Heausler, whose sharp eye caught so many extra words and exclamation points (ahem), and who gave Wyvern a bit of new life, so many thanks.

Our longtime friend Lee Freeman gave me Michael Gruenbaum’s moving memoir about his life as a Jewish boy in Prague who was sent to Terezín internment camp during the Nazi occupation. My husband patiently accompanied me to Prague and to Terezín. Let me just say that as beautiful as Prague is, Terezín is equally or more heartbreaking. While The Artifact Hunters is not a story of the Holocaust, it is a story about survival, friendship, and the choice to do good. I hope that the underlying message I’ve conveyed to young readers—to all readers—is that it is possible to stand up for what is right and good in the face of evil.

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