If you’ve ever seen a video of raccoons stealing cat food or washing their hands, you’ll know where I got the idea for this book. So thanks to all the raccoon video stars out there and to the people who filmed them.
This book wouldn’t have been possible without so many people. So huge thanks go out to:
Reka Simonsen (editor extraordinaire), Kate Testerman (agent extraordinaire), and Dave Mottram (artist extraordinaire); and to Kristie Choi, Michael McCartney, Clare McGlade, Tatyana Rosalia, Brian D. Luster, and everyone at Atheneum Books for Young Readers. You’re all incredible.
My family, for reading endless drafts, and for being there for me to lean on. (So much leaning this year.)
The real-life Ken, for letting me borrow your name and turn you into a rodent shuffleboard champion.
Howdy, for putting down the red squeaky ball when I needed to concentrate (at least most of the time).
Everyone who reads my books. Seriously, you’re awesome. (This means you. Yes, you.)
Special thanks also to:
Dr. Kaitlyn Beisecker-Levin, Dr. John Jane, Jr., Dr. Spencer Payne, Dr. Ashok Asthagiri, Dr. Gregory Hong, Dr. Nancy Vilar, Dr. Trae Robison, Dr. Connor Berlin, Dr. Kathryn Kearns, Dr. Delaney Carpenter, Dr. Ryan Kellogg, Dr. Panagiotis Mastorakos, Cassandra Freed-Pastor, Dawn Shaver, and everyone at the UVA Neurosurgery department for all your help. I honestly can’t thank you enough.
The nurses at UVA 6 West. You were all so wonderful. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.
And finally, for providing pandemic distractions (still!), thanks to everyone behind Wordle, Worldle, Squareword, Statele, Heardle, and any other “le” games I missed. (I’m pretty sure I played them all.)