So many people helped with this book in some way, and I’m grateful to them all.
Daniel McMahon, M. D. and Adam Ryan, M. D. checked medical scenes and language for me. Kristy Ryan put up with a discussion of mitochondria at her dinner table. Thanks to Christine “Vole-Flinger” McMahon for the walks and conversations in the park.
Dr. Thomas Kroc explained the difficulties of observing electrons. Dr. Jonathan Green and Rose Green discussed the appropriateness of “Friesta” as a first name; it’s not their fault I went ahead and used it. Dr. Richard Kaae shared his knowledge of scorpions. Tom Billings, Tom Cone, and Mary Anne Siurek helped with Indiana criminal sentences. Additional expertise was provided by Robin Prehn, Bruce Nesmith, NASA, Johnson Space Center, and Kelly Humphries at JSC. Any errors are entirely my own.
Anne Bingham, Vonna Carter, Marcia Hoehne, Ena Jones, Cyndi Marko, and Laurel Strong read or provided support. :bigkiss
Thanks also to Mrs. Edith Hufford, my first grade teacher. Mrs. Hufford got her degree at age sixty and only taught a few years, but what a world of difference she made.
The Sweet Sixteens were a terrific debut group, and I’m honored to have been included. We still need to get those T-shirts, guys. The SCBWI Blueboard has been a wonderful place to hang out. Thanks for sharing the journey.
Tim Jarboe talked railroad songs with me. If Tim, John Robert McFarland, and Joseph Kennedy help Eddie set up his toy train, he’s going to have a fabulous layout.
I wanted Eddie to have a good best friend so I gave his hometown buddy Heather Jarboe’s last name. Heath, I am always available for a three a.m. game of Go Fish.
Thanks to Brigid Kennedy and Joseph Kennedy for brainstorming with me and for their many insights, and to Joe for letting me try to throw him down a flight of stairs to clarify the action in one scene. No children were harmed in the making of this book.
Thanks to John Robert McFarland and Helen McFarland for their encouraging breakfast messages, and also for driving around Oolitic, Indiana, and sending maps and photos. Mary Beth McFarland displays my books on her desk at work. Patrick Kennedy washed a lot of dishes while I wrote, and never once complained. Thanks for always being there.
I had to be completely out of touch for a few days right when my agent, Kate McKean, was negotiating the deal for this book. I told her that I trusted her and to do whatever she wanted to. Kate, thanks for your skill and caring. If there’s another Earth out there, I hope it has a Kate McKean.
My editor, Sarah Shumway, championed Rosa and Eddie and strengthened their story in so many ways. She also put up with my sassy margin notes and sent me chocolate and baby pictures—that pretty much makes her perfect.
Thanks to the rest of the team at Bloomsbury for their expertise and support, especially Patricia McHugh, Claire Stetzer—who came up with the title, Diane Aronson, Lizzy Mason, Anna Bernard, Donna Mark, Melissa Kavonic, Kerry Johnson, Catherine Onder, Cindy Loh, Colleen Andrews, and Oona Patrick.
I’m glad that all of you are on my Earth.
One more thing …
When I was just starting this book, Kira Vermond challenged me to put licorice in the last scene as a tip of the hat to her. Did it, Kira. Now I get to issue a challenge to you for your next book. Game on!