acknowledgments (in reverse alphabetical order)

My parents, Ed and Janice Zulkey, for always supporting me as a writer and pushing me to work as hard as I could at everything.

Julie Strauss-Gabel. I never got why other writers spent so much time lionizing their editors in their acknowledgments, but I get it now. Thank you for taking a chance on me and believing in this project and for all your wonderful hard work and the good conversations. It’s been such a pleasure working with you.

Liz McArdle, for being one of the best things ever to come from my college experience, for being a great, supportive friend, and of course for her insight into the world of college admissions. Being your freshman-year roommate was totally worth it.

My agent, Byrd Leavell, for persistently believing in me and also blowing sunshine up my butt only when appropriate.

Stevie Kuenn and Jim Norton, for the Madison color and copyediting mark translation.

John Green, for introducing me to Julie Strauss-Gabel, but also for being a good friend, talented individual, lovely guy, cheerleader, and co-host. I’m proud to know you.

Nora Geraghty, for her long-distance evaluation of Cecily’s situation, offering expertise in the world of child psychology, and for being a great old friend.

Lucy Chambers, for the good edits.

Andy Behrens, Will Leitch, Kristen Pettit, and Melissa Walker for giving me insight into YA writing.

AND: Julie Friedman, Lindsay Robertson, Kelly Mulvaney, Wendy Mc-Clure, E. Jean Carroll, Keith Phipps, Nathan Rabin, Whitney Pastorek, Dave Reidy, Mike Sacks, Kevin Guilfoile, Miles Harvey, Sandi Wisenberg, Jessica Riddle, John Sagan, and all the Pie People out there.