To my mom, June Gansberg Jensen, who brought Bible people to life for me on a flannel board

To Shirley Millar, my friend in sunshine and storms—a real girl of the Bible

To Bob Hodgson, my hubby of 40 years, who inspires me to become a real girl of the Bible

I’d like to thank the following people:

• Robin Crouch, a former editor at Zonderkidz, who birthed the vision for this book and entrusted me to run with it. Her cheers still ring in my ears.

• My agent, Janet Kobobel Grant, from Books & Such, Inc. for her years of partnership, patience, and toting pompoms. Thanks for cheering me onward.

• Barbara Scott and Betsy Flikkema, my former editors at Zonderkidz, for coming alongside me and taking this book to the finish line.

• My prayer partners—Shirley, June, Ann, and Karen—whose faithful prayers brought Real Girls of the Bible to life and gave it legs. And to all the others who listened to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and breathed prayers for me and this book and the girls who will read it.

• My Snoopy Dancer writing buds—Lauraine, Eileen, Ceil, Diana, Nancy Jo, Paddy, and Kathleen—who celebrate the book’s completion with me.

• My true inspiration for becoming a real girl of the Bible and writing about it—Jesus. It’s all because of him.