Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

Thank you, reader, for sticking with this series. I wouldn’t be anywhere without you. It’s been a pleasure meeting you at schools and book signings. I hope you enjoyed Strike of the Sweepers.

I was a Sweeper once. No, seriously! Many of my ideas for this series came while I worked as a part-time custodian at a local middle school. Since I worked only a few hours each evening, I never earned the official title of janitor. The nightly crew was called something else: We were Sweepers.

The team at Shadow Mountain continue to amaze me with their support and attention. Thanks to Chris Schoebinger and Heidi Taylor for their direction and guidance, to Emily Watts for her editorial work, to Richard Erickson for his art direction, and to Karen Zelnick and Mary Beth Allen for organizing many of my events and tours.

Thanks to Brandon Dorman, whom I finally met face to face! There isn’t a nicer guy out there. Thanks for providing another eye-catching cover. Dez would be very pleased with his rippling muscles and black talons.

Thanks to Rubin Pfeffer for representing my work in the Janitors series. His advice and guidance have meant so much to me over the years.

I want to thank fellow author Chad Morris (Cragbridge Hall series) and the Jammin’ Janitors—Sam, Doug, and Mike—for spending lots of time and effort to help launch past books.

To my neighborhood friends growing up—Aubrey, Lance, Nate, Andrew, and Nick. Our countless hours of imaginative games helped shape me into the writer that I am today. Thanks for always coming along on another adventure.

Thanks to my parents and to my brother and sisters and their families. Thanks for always being interested in my many projects.

And the greatest thanks goes to Connie, for always being there. I could never do this without you!

Keep reading! Keep imagining! I can promise a lot of excitement in the final book!