Acknowledgements

I’ve been periodically working on this novel for many years, and so I am indebted to many people who have helped with this story’s long path to publication. Deepest thanks and heartfelt gratitude:

To all the teachers who helped shape my writing and me as a writer. To my sixth grade English teacher, Gail Gerber, for her patience with me and for assigning our class to write a story about “Freaky Frankie.” To all my other teachers. Thank you for putting up with me and for making me learn in spite of my occasional resistance.

To all good teachers everywhere. You can never be thanked enough!

To those who encouraged this novel in its earliest form. To Larry and Debbie Marshall for their kindness and for saying all the right things after reading a very early version of this novel. To Melanie Harkness for an early read and for the priceless gift of her friendship.

To Jean Harmston for sending me photographs of Riverside, Iowa, that were helpful with the cover art.

To those who offered technical advice about rockets, airplanes, skateboards, and large balloons. To Jason Harkness, whose knowledge of very large and powerful model rockets is unparalleled. To Ralph Brendler for advice about the flyer’s wingspan and whose mathematical skills helped me figure out the plan for the Mr. Piggly balloon. To Lee Boekelheide for taking me flying in his Cardinal and for familiarizing me with basic flight principles and airplane controls. Brian and Alex would not have flown without you!

To my family. To my brother, Tyler, for wonderful long discussions about this story and about everything else. To my sister, Tiffany, for her encouragement and inspiration, as well as for her hospitality when book business brought me to New York. To my mother, Lu Ann, for, well, being my mother, but also for buying me books and taking me to the Dysart Public Library when I was young.

To librarians everywhere! You are our greatest champions for peace, hope, and freedom.

To my Vermont College of Fine Arts family for their generous support. I am very honored to be a part of the VCFA community. The great connections I’ve made there are too numerous to name here, but I’m grateful for each of them. Thanks especially to my graduating class, the Cliffhangers, in particular Patti Brown, Jill Santopolo, Carol Brendler, Carol Williams, and Marianna Baer for their help with manuscripts or other challenges in the writing life.

To the good folks at Arthur A. Levine Books and Scholastic. To Sue Flynn, Chris Satterlund, Terribeth Smith, Charles Young, and the rest of the stellar sales team. To Antonio Gonzalez, Emma Brockway, Candace Greene, Emily Clement, Paul Gagne, John Mason, Elizabeth Parisi, Lizette Serrano, and Tracy van Straaten. Thank you for all your amazing work! To Charisse Meloto, the world’s greatest publicist, who brings hope and works pure magic to get the word out on my books. To Arthur Levine for a fantastic imprint. To all the other great people at Scholastic. You are incredible at what you do, and it is always an absolute pleasure to work with you.

To John and Katherine Paterson for their friendship and hospitality. To Katherine in particular for all the advice and encouragement both in the pursuit of my first publication and in helping me understand what it really means to be a writer.

To my stellar agent, Ammi‑Joan Paquette, who gave me my first acceptance letter as a writer. I cherish your friendship and your spot‑on advice. I’m with you all the way!

To my editor and friend, Cheryl Klein. The more I work with you, the more I believe your name also belongs on the cover of the book. Thank you for your patience with me, for working so incredibly hard, and for your brilliant ideas and guidance. You have all the best ideas about story and kidlit. I salute you.

To my wife and best friend, Amanda, with all my deepest love and admiration. You are my life.

Finally, I must especially thank readers of this book. These words are completely inadequate in expressing how grateful I am to those who have taken the time to read my work. I marvel at the thought that even in this age of infinite distraction you have chosen to spend your valuable time with a story I wrote. I can never thank you enough or repay you for your kindness, but I promise I will do my very best to continue to offer the best stories I know how to write. Thank you once again. I wish you the very best.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-30