ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To Stockton, a city full of strivers: I am so grateful to know you.

To my agent, Jennifer Laughran; editor, Nikki Garcia; and everyone at Little, Brown, especially Marcie Lawrence, Annie McDonnell, Erika Schwartz, Kristina Pisciotta, and Jennifer Poe; to Christian Burkin and Paula Sheil; and, as always, to David, Alice, and Soledad: love and muchas gracias.