Lucia’s story has been in the works for almost a decade, and so many people have helped me with the plot, structure, magic issues, and characterization that it’s almost impossible to put together a comprehensive thank-you list. If I’ve inadvertently left anyone off, I’ll blame the oversight on my moonstone.
First, thanks to pals Catherine Clark, Anica Rissi, Robin Wasserman, Sarah Mlynowski, Jennifer Echols, Barb Soderberg, and Melissa Waskiewicz (along with Chloe and Zoe) for your detailed, expert editorial notes and conversations about this story at various stages of the book’s development.
A million thanks to my team of junior editors—Eva Breiland, Krittika Prajapati, Sophia Caputo, Charlotte Iannone, Molly Trischitta, Alexa Nogler, Milla Downing, Henry Downing, Ruby Downing, Aidan Roy, Emily Sather, Sasha Orr, and Caroline Claeson—who helped immensely in the final months of revision. You all amazed me with your thoughtful suggestions and comments. I hope I have the opportunity to work with some of you again, years from now, when you’re getting paid to do this job! Also, thanks to my junior editors’ parents and teachers—especially Jason Lewis and Lynn Flynn—who helped to cultivate book lovers and eagerly connected me with some of these brilliant, enthusiastic readers.
Hugs and thanks to my editor at Aladdin, Fiona Simpson, for believing in this story and helping me find the right magic to make it shine. Also thanks to the rest of the Simon & Schuster crew for your support over the years, especially Mara Anastas, Katherine Devendorf, Julie Doebler, Jessica Handelman, Tricia Lin, and the incredible sales and marketing team. I’m also enormously grateful to have my dapper agent, Michael Bourret, by my side—he has cheerfully read, commented, and made brilliant suggestions on various versions of this book at least a dozen times. Thanks also to Ari Lewin, who helped me shape the seed of an idea into book form so very long ago (and suggested the addition of a moonstone!).
There is nothing better than seeing a book’s cover for the first time and being able to cheer, “YES! That is exactly what I wanted.” Huge thanks to artist Julia Blattman, who created the gorgeous, whimsical art that graces the jacket of this book.
There are three novels—by three of my favorite authors—that were published while I was writing this story that motivated me to keep going when I was very tempted to give up. Thanks to Victoria Jamieson (Roller Girl ), Kate Messner (All the Answers), and Natalie Lloyd (A Snicker of Magic) for writing beautiful, inspiring books that kept me chugging along. These three stories deserve space on every reader’s bookshelf!
The strangest thing happened one day while I was rewriting the first half of this novel. My Pandora station introduced me to Brett Dennen’s “Just Like the Moon,” and when I heard the opening lines of the song—I believe that you were born during an eclipse / and the stars named you moon child—it felt like a sign that Moon Shadow was finally on the right track. (Yes, I borrowed Lucia’s nickname, “Moon Child,” from the song—thanks, Brett!)
Cheers to the Nerdy Book Club, who have welcomed me with a big, bookish hug, and to all the teachers who have invited me into your classrooms live and via Skype over the past few years. You and your students inspire me to keep writing stories!
I am enormously grateful to the Minnesota State Arts Board, who awarded me an Artist Initiative Grant that helped me carve out time to finish rewriting this story. It was just the nudge and support I needed at exactly the right time. I am proud to live in a state that supports artists in such a meaningful way.
Finally, thanks to my very loving and supportive family (especially Greg, Milla, Henry, and Ruby), a crew of great friends, various baristas, incredible neighbors, and my snuggly dog . . . you have all listened to me talk about this story way too much. Woo-hoo! It’s finally done!