Thanks, respect, and love to …
Wes Adams, my editor extraordinaire. This has been and continues to be my dream project. Andrew Arnold, the designer of the series. Keep on dazzling, man. I like to be dazzled. Tim Probert, the illustrator whose drawings have added a whole other dimension to the world of Rip and Red.
Mary Van Akin, Katie Halata, Janet Renard, Joy Peskin, Lucy Del Priore, and the entire rockstar crew at Farrar Straus Giroux and the Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. Your unwavering support is humbling and heartening.
Erin Murphy, my agent. The best in the business. Yeah, I’m biased, but I speak the truth.
Elizabeth Acevedo, Anna Rekate, and Audrey Vernick, my always reliable beta readers. Your critical and caring eyes and pull-no-punches feedback are appreciated more than you can possibly imagine.
Kayley Cook, R.N., Dr. Faith Galderisi, Dr. Lori Gluck, and Dr. Craig Hurwitz, my acute myeloid leukemia experts. While most of the AML storyline ended up in the deleted darlings folder, your insights and anecdotes were invaluable.
Shana Corey and Yvonne Salgado, who provided me with the oh-so-needed mom’s-eye-view of what it’s like living with almost-middle schoolers.
Chris Davis, my former student, for his basketball coaching expertise. You got game.
Brenda Bowen and Virginia Euwer Wolff. We will rise to the occasion, which is life.
Kevin, my husband, my family.