Our families and friends, for their patience and understanding during the long writing process and for being nice enough not to ask, “So when exactly do you think you’ll be finished?”
The parents in our workshops, for their willingness to try new ways of communicating with their families and for reporting their experiences back to the group. The stories they shared were an inspiration to us and to one another.
The teenagers we worked with, for everything they told us about themselves and their world. Their honest input gave us invaluable insights into their concerns.
Kimberly Ann Coe, our amazing artist, for taking all our stick figures and the words we put in their mouths and transforming them into a wonderfully varied cast of characters who bring the words to life.
Bob Markel, our literary agent and dear friend, for his enthusiasm for our project from the very beginning and for his unwavering support as we worked our way through the endless drafts that shaped this book.
Jennifer Brehl, our editor. Like the “perfect parent,” she believed in us, affirmed our best, and respectfully pointed out where we might make “good” even better. She was right—every time.
Dr. Haim Ginott, our mentor. The world has changed dramatically since his passing, but his conviction that “to reach humane goals we need humane methods” remains forever true.