All my thanks to everyone who went on this wild and wondrous adventure with me, including:
My spectaculous agent, Sara Crowe, who blazed a trail for this story with Sea Hawkian vim and vigor.
My super amazing editor, Janine O’Malley, a WordSmith and story-decoder of the highest order.
My super fantastic assistant editor, Melissa Warten, who reads with Magnifycent2000 vision.
Cassie Gonzales, whose art and design are like a wish (made on a shooting star in the tail feathers of an Astari Night Avis) come true.
Matt Rockefeller, who somehow outdoes himself on each cover. I mean, seriously. Egad!
The entire team at FSG and Macmillan Children’s, including Jen Besser, Madison Furr, Katie Quinn, Katie Halata, Hayley Jozwiak, Chandra Wohleber, Sarah Chassé, Mary Van Akin, and many more. It’s a joy to trek through the jungles of publishing with you all.
Holly McGhee, Elena Giovinazzo, Ashley Valentine, Cameron Chase, Rakeem Nelson, and David Ford. A Pippin expedition is the very best expedition!
Brigid Misselhorn, for being the kind of early reader and friend that every author dreams of.
Teachers, librarians, booksellers, fellow authors, and story lovers—I continue to be honored and amazed by all the supportive, enthusiastic helping hands on the kidlit community Amity Tree.
My readers, who are, to quote Dr. Paradis, Brilliant, funny, adorable, just the absolute best.
My parents, who helped me learn how to move through the rotten and find the spectaculous. Thank you for loving Milton—and me—from page one.
Russ, who has explored oceans, mountains, jungles, and rivers with me. Let’s go on adventures together forever.
And as always, to Coral Mae and Everett Reef. You two are my Most Seriously, Supremely, Unexpectedly, Astonishingly Spectaculous Adventure of All Time. Great flapping falcons, I love you both so much!