ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

My heartfelt gratitude to:

—the stalwart Ena Jones, whose words and ideas have enriched this book immeasurably;

—my gracious, thoughtful editor, Diane Landolf;

—the generous readers whose comments helped me see my way more clearly: Megan Lynn Isaac, Allison B. Wallace, Matthew J. Kirby, and Elizabeth C. Bunce;

—the wonder-working copy editors, designers, and behind-the-scenes team at Random House Children’s Books;

—the ever-helpful Anna Webman;

—Dean Shearle Furnish of Youngstown State University, who allowed me a course release for writing;

—and, of course, the cheering section, especially Sid Brown, my parents, my brother, and the Gauses—my aunts, uncles, and cousins.