Acknowledgments

My deep gratitude to Elise Howard, who kept asking for more until she didn’t—I could not have wished for a finer, more supportive editor. Thanks to Eileen Lawrence for handling the book with such elegance and to Michael McKenzie for getting it out there with passion. I love what Erin Fitzsimmons did with the cover art and design, and a big thanks to Dan Janeck, who gave the book much more than just a cursory once-over. My appreciation goes to Brunson Hoole for his thoughtful oversight, to Sarah Alpert for taking care of lots of moving parts, and to Elisabeth Scharlatt for welcoming me into the Algonquin family so graciously.

Thank you to David Patterson for representing me with such quiet commitment and care.

My thanks to Susan Dalsimer, who read very early drafts of this book and offered strong encouragement when it was needed. I am beholden to my first teen reader, Alexandra Wilhelm, who reassuringly promised me that Lucy sounded just like her friends. A big nod goes to Joanne Steglitz, who read an early version of this book with great care and offered sage advice.

Thank you Sam, Willow, and Rowan, whose spirits permeate these pages and inform every character. And my deepest gratitude goes to Dolores—there really isn’t much without her.