Thanks to the educators and students at Mercer Middle School in Seattle and Libby Center in Spokane for being so over-the-moon about this book, especially the wonderful Kristin, Larry, Priscilla, Susannah, Maggie, and Alex for the Minnow party, complete with goldfish crackers. Thanks to the Chetty family for your support and the awesome cake, to Fran Bahr for the good chats and great feedback, and to the incredible Christa Desir who read multiple versions and has been my staunch ally through this entire process.
Finally, thanks to my entire family for your wholehearted support for my dreams. Especially thanks to my mom, Annie Oakes, who has been the most enthusiastic cheerleader that anyone could ask for. You have inspired me and shown me it’s never a waste of time to dream big and stare at the computer screen for hours on end.