None of this would have been possible without my parents. Early on, they instilled in me a love of learning and a passion for education. They have stood by me through thick and thin, from my first day of school to the day when I tossed my cap in the air. I cannot thank them enough. I also owe a huge debt of gratitude to Rob Kovner, for believing that I could do whatever I set my mind to—and making me believe it, too!
Many heartfelt thanks to my agent, Coleen O’Shea, for guiding me through the alien world of book publishing. You took a chance on me when no one else would, and every struggling author needs someone like that in their lives. I am extremely grateful to the Sourcebooks staff, especially Peter Lynch, for believing so strongly in this project; Todd Stocke, for his continued support; and Suzanna Bainbridge, for her smart edits and for making this process smooth and easy. I am so lucky to be able to work with all of you.