This book would not have been possible without a lot of people’s help. First up my family: Mum, Dad, Kate, Emma, and Richard. OK, Richard didn’t really help at all (little brothers, you know how it is!), and Kate is working in New Zealand, so technically they weren’t of any practical use, but they’re still family and I still love them to bits! Ben, Sam, Amy, and Jago were, however, very much on hand. Ben never complains when I take off to festivals or on tours; Sam is always a mine of information on all things teen, whether he knows it or not; and Amy and Jago entertain me on a daily basis with their various shenanigans.

As always, I have to thank my dear friends Andrew, Tanya Delargy, and Nicky “Pleasantly Decorated” Cullen (see, I put your second names in this time, those that wanted me to — I do listen!). In every book I have to rotate the order of the names so no one gets jealous. Honestly, you’d think my friends were three years old sometimes.

And of course huge kudos to my writer friends, fellow travelers on the book path, especially the fab and lovely Martina Devlin, who makes me think — which is always a good thing. Judi Curtin is always cheerful and a rock of good sense, and David Maybury makes me laugh on a weekly basis, for which he deserves a Giggler’s Medal.

I thank my agents, Philippa Milnes-Smith and Peta Nightingale, for their good counsel and unerring enthusiasm, and the gang in Children’s Books Ireland (CBI) for flying the kiddie-lit flag in Ireland. Tom is off to pastures new, and I wish him all the best in his quest.

I salute the gals and girls of Walkerville for being such Amy cheerleaders. I continue to have a ball working with all of you. My editors, Gill Evans and Annalie Grainger, deserve huge thanks for pouring the book into its best party dress; the lovely Jo Hump-D, Jane Harris, Eve, Ruth, and Alice supplied the party invitations, streamers, and hooters; Sean, Hanna, Heidi, and the gang were certainly at the party; and Katie was in charge of hair and makeup, and a lovely job she did too. And Conor Hackett continues to be the Irish party coordinator and general ringmaster supreme. And a huge thanks to Sarah and Nicola for the beautiful new covers.

I must mention my special teen editor and fount of all knowledge, Kate Gordon. Kate has been part of the Amy team right from the start. And I look forward to recruiting several more clever and smart young editors very soon. And a big shout-out to fellow book fan Michelle in Navan, and hi to Ella Tubs, just ’cause you asked so nicely, Ella!

Can’t forget the children’s booksellers near and far, who have been so good to me over the years, especially Superhero of the Children’s Book World, David O’Callaghan, for all his support and the fab mixtapes; the fantastic Dubray gang, especially Susan, Ruth, Kim, and Mary Esther; and the lovely Mary Bridget in Hodges Figgis.

To Erin Carolan, winner of the Ask Amy Green Facebook competition, and last but certainly not least, you, the uber-cool reader. For all your e-mails, letters, cards, and photos, I thank you. It’s YOU that makes writing worthwhile. I thank you, Amy thanks you, Clover thanks you . . .

Please do drop me a line. I love hearing from Amy Greensters. My e-mail is sarah@askamygreen.com. Or check out the Ask Amy Green fan page on Facebook.

Best,

Sarah XXX