Acknowledgments

All kids need a little help, a little hope and somebody who believes in them.

- Magic Johnson

Since I’m still a kid in the writing world, this quote from Bobby’s hero, Magic Johnson, seems an apt way to begin my thank-you notes.

Thank you to my Head Coach, Peter Carver, for believing in me, for his wise guidance and patient handling of niggling issues during the editing of this book, and for getting me off the bench and giving me lots of playing time on the floor! And thank you to the entire Red Deer / Fitzhenry & Whiteside team for your behind-the-scenes work in getting my books into the hands of readers.

I’m forever grateful to volunteers who spend countless hours as coaches and organizers of kids’ sports; this work is so incredibly important in the lives of kids and their families. In particular, thank you to the late Sandy Allen of Truro, and the Sheriko family of Wolfville, who facilitated Wolfville Minor Basketball for so many years while learning to live with cancer in their family.

As always, thank you to my parents, Bob and Ada Mingo, both of whom were taken by the C Monster far too early—you’re still here with us, every day, in so many ways.

Thank you to the many middle-grade novelists, especially Kate DiCamillo, whose books inspire me to continue working hard at my craft.

And to librarians, independent booksellers, teachers, and readers—without you, I couldn’t be a writer; thank you for that privilege.

Hugs to my friends and family, especially my starting line-up—Don, Liam, Shannon, and Charlie, who, on a daily basis, put up with my living simultaneously in two worlds. You are my All-Stars, forever and ever.