This book went on quite the journey from the moment I started brainstorming it in 2017 to now. For most of that, I didn’t think it was ever going to be read by anyone, and yet I kept writing/editing/rewriting, which felt a little like squeezing my heart with a citrus juicer for years on end. The only reason it exists now at all is, in some way, because of each and every one of the people listed here.

I need to thank my editor, Stephanie Cohen, for understanding my book, seeing what it could be, and being a pleasure to work with—and my second editor, Olivia Valcarce, for jumping onboard so smoothly halfway through the process. I’m incredibly grateful to the whole team at Inkyard, including Bess Braswell, Erin Craig, Vanessa Wells, Brittany Mitchell, and Justine Sha, for making my words book-shaped, and to Mona Finden, for bringing that book to life with the most beautiful cover illustration.

I owe a million thanks to my agent, Victoria Marini, for your fierceness and enthusiasm, and never making me feel bad for emailing you in a panic at pretty much every turn. This book wouldn’t be nearly as good without your spot-on insight, and I’m so glad you saw the same future for it that I did.

To Sarah Kapit, and the entire Author Mentor Match program—I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I couldn’t possibly ask for a better mentor. I am forever thankful for all the time and effort you poured into helping me.

To all the teachers who encouraged me to write as an outlet, who let me ask weird questions and do outside-the-box projects and sit under my desk when I needed to hide—thank you. You provided a safe place for me in the stressful, overwhelming school environment.

Heather, Dani, and the RPS Team, you guys are the best. I couldn’t ask for a better Day Job.

Squadtism and Floor Time group chats, thank you for getting me through 2020.

To those who read this book when it was mostly a formless lump of potential—Kate Weiler, Elizabeth Unseth, and Aimee Mayer—I can’t thank you enough. Saint Gibson and Vika Hendersen, thank you both for being much cooler than me, and sharing your knowledge of publishing with me. Huge thanks to Margaret Owen for your kindness and advice about navigating publication, Emily Thiede for book chaos empathy, and Lillie Lainoff for being the best ’22 Debut Buddy I could ask for. Hannah Geist, I’m going to group you in here as an honorary mention because you’re my favorite librarian (and we both know I’ll never hear the end of it if I don’t).

Thank you to my whole huge extended family who supported me enthusiastically without exception, who believed in me even when I didn’t. There are too many of you to list here, so just know that whether you’re a Clark, Ortiz, Purcell, or Mayer, I’m counting you. Y todos los Quinitos tambien.

To my brother and bonus siblings—Zeke, Kyleigh, Tanner, and however many others there are at the moment—I wish there was a less cheesy way to say it, but thank you all for filling my life with laughter and love. To all my friends, thank you for putting up with all my angst, letting me explain to you how publishing works, and celebrating every win with me. I’m lucky to be surrounded by such creative and empathetic souls.