To everyone who ever boarded Ship Everything, I owe you my deepest thanks and gratitude. This book couldn’t have happened without you.
A huge thanks to Mollie Glick, super-agent superstar. Your belief in Sophie and books with big ideas is inspiring. You keep me going, lady.
To Jill Santopolo, editor extraordinaire and champion of the book from the beginning. Thanks for your tireless work and for “going there” with me.
To the entire team at Philomel, thanks for taking a chance on a first-time author. I am grateful.
To Sherry Mendel (Harper), who helped me find my “writer” in the first place.
To Jacqueline Raphael, Luciana Lopez and Theresa Tate, who cradled the first chapters and laughed so hard I knew I had to keep going. Extra-special thanks to Jacqueline, writing partner in crime. May we always make mischief.
To Jessica Morrell. Your guidance and support have been invaluable.
To all of my writing partners, who got me through word counts with lightness and heart.
To Vanessa Veselka, true warrior and great friend. We’ll always have Beulahland.
To the amazing minds of Brian Greene, Lisa Randall, Michio Kaku, Ed Whitten and all the other physicists I’ve forgotten to mention for playing with the mysteries of the universe and providing me with endless inspiration. You are so much smarter than I am.
To my physics adviser, Che Lowenstein, for reading an early draft and sharing the “eeeh!” of string theory with me.
To Madeleine Terry, fellow artist and adventurer of the heart.
To fellow dreamers Tim Kerr, Deanna Feeley, René Orsinger, Charity Heller, Jay Fields, and Greg Hyatt.
To my ladies, Sara Snyder, Nina Lary and B. Frayn Masters, whose friendship and generous spirits would help anyone get through the writing process. You are such a part of this book.
To Blake Nelson, whose advice, laughter and friendship reminded me to have heart and never stop writing.
To Will Bryant, who brought Walt to life.
To Jason Price, fellow spider moving sideways.
To Arie, Kai and Noah Pellikaan for never letting me get too serious.
To my grandparents—Betty and Brandon Doak—whose fabulous stories encouraged me to tell my own.
To my sister, Sandi Pellikaan, wonderful reader, amazing friend and keeper of the flame. You never let it go out. I could not have done this without you.
To my parents, Jim and Pegi Luna. Mom, you’re the original bright light. And Dad, your big heart and persistence have always inspired me to have my own. Thank you both.
Finally, thanks to all the kids who read, dream and believe in things they cannot see. Writing for you is the very best part.