by Emma Kress
To Amber Lough for being my first and forever crit partner. All kinds of grateful for that blissed-out moment in the YMCA parking lot that led to you.
It’s impossible to write a book about the power of friendship without having had the experience of many amazing friends in my life. To the friends (not already mentioned) who have been my cheerleaders along this very long road: Julie Barer, Luke Cusack, Jill Erlitz, Denis Guerin, Astrid Koltun, Rachel Person, Rachel Simmons, the Tobrockes, and Jody Ziebarth. Most of all, to Amy Spitzer, a talented teacher, reader, writer, and remarkable best friend.
To my supportive, extended family: the Aaronsons, Fanellis, Hendersons, Husseys, Iaconnos, Nevilles, Newmans, Perrinos, Ratcliffes, Sepulvedas, Tetros, and Zampiers.
To my dad, Jack Kress, who imbued in me a fierce sense of justice that’s never gone away. You are my partner in optimism, and there’s no one with whom I’d rather get my hopes up. To my mom, Susan Kress, who taught me that every word and every woman holds power. You’ve been my role model as a teacher, writer, feminist. Listening to you read and discuss the biographies of words was one of the best experiences of my life.
To my children, Mazie and Max: for most/all of your lives, I’ve been chasing this dream and you’ve been among my most enthusiastic, patient, and insightful supporters and readers. It means the world to share this with you both. To Brody, for bringing the funny, the real, and the love to my stories and my life. Nobody can make me laugh as hard and as often as you. You are the heart of every romantic moment I write.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Emma Kress is a long-time educator and 2014 finalist for NY State Teacher of the Year. She’s a graduate of Vassar College, Columbia University’s Teachers College, and the MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. She lives with her family in Saratoga Springs, New York. Dangerous Play is her debut novel.
Visit her online at emmakress.com, or sign up for email updates here.
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-One
Twenty-Two
Twenty-Three
Twenty-Four
Twenty-Five
Twenty-Six
Twenty-Seven
Twenty-Eight
Twenty-Nine
Thirty
Thirty-One
Thirty-Two
Thirty-Three
Thirty-Four
Thirty-Five
Thirty-Six
Thirty-Seven
Thirty-Eight
Thirty-Nine
Forty
Forty-One
Forty-Two
Forty-Three
Forty-Four
Forty-Five
Forty-Six
Forty-Seven
Forty-Eight
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Copyright
Copyright © 2021 by Emma Kress
Published by Roaring Brook Press
Roaring Brook Press is a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership
120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271 • fiercereads.com
All rights reserved.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2020919570
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eISBN 9781250750495
First hardcover edition, 2021
eBook edition, 2021
