This book began to take shape years ago when I taught poetry to young people, and I saw how writing poetry helped many students discover their own unique voices. To all the teachers who created space for poetry in their classrooms, resisting the tide of testing—and especially Susan Bell, a phenomenal teacher—thank you. We watched many students’ faces light up as they read their poems aloud.
Dogs play an important role in this book, and I relied on two very helpful books for my research: Sarah Albee’s book for all ages, Dog Days of History: The Incredible Story of Our Best Friends, National Geographic Kids, 2018. Also: The Dog: A Natural History, by Adam Miklosi, Princeton University Press, 2018.
To the editorial team at Fitzroy Books, a huge thank you for giving my book a home, and special thanks to Pam Van Dyk and Jaynie Royal for their careful editing and support across the finish line.
Many thanks, too, to Megan Beatie, stellar publicist, for her wisdom and tireless support in launching my book into the world.
Much gratitude to writer-friends who meet regularly to share our work, incredible writers all: Patricia Cumbie, Anne Follett, Carla Hagan, Judith Katz, Miriam Karmel, Leslie Morris, Alison Morse, Marcia Peck, Julia Singer.
To my parents, a very special thank you, for always believing in my writing and cheering me on.
Most of all, I want to thank my husband, Jack Zipes, who has spent his life making sure children’s and young adult literature have been taken seriously by academics and publishers, and who has always said children’s and YA literature, even more than adult literature, have the power to change the world. You are my inspiration and the love of my life.