I owe thanks to many people for supporting me in the creation of this book. First, to my editor, Joan Powers, who encouraged me to pursue the project in the first place and gently guided me through many drafts. Also to my agent, Barry Goldblatt, for cheering this project on. As always, to my writing partners and dear friends, Debbi Michiko Florence and Cindy Faughnan, for their valuable feedback. Thank you to my husband and first reader, Peter Carini, and my mom and dad, Judi and Malcolm Knowles, who taught me where home is. Thanks also to my son, Eli Carini, for the many long talks about the conflict and plot — your encouragement meant everything, Eli. Speaking of encouragement, thanks to Craig Childs for the many discussions that planted the seeds for this story and the helpful writing prompt that got me started. Finally, a giant thank-you to my publicist Jamie Tan, second reader Allison Cole, and everyone at Team Candlewick Press for their continued support. You all make my heart beat like a hummingbird with joy and deep gratitude.

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 Jo Knowles

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 2018961168

Candlewick Press

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Somerville, Massachusetts 02144