It was time to try out my own legs, no matter how shaky they were. I waved back at my friends. Then I let go, gliding on a single blade across the solid ice.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Without the help and support of many people, Extraordinary would still be one of the manuscripts filed away in a folder on my computer, simply titled Pansy.
It has taken over ten years for Extraordinary to take shape and become the book it is today. Thanks to all of the wonderful people who have helped me get from idea-in-my-head to book-on-the-shelf:
My fantastic editor, Julie Matysik, for falling in love with Pansy. Your expertise has made me dig deeper and pushed me in new directions as I journeyed on the path toward publication.
Mandy Hubbard, for your support and advice through this incredibly long process! Your professional feedback helped transform the book into what it is today. Thanks for believing in me and Extraordinary; I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work with you.
My fabulous critique partners: Karen Bly, Eileen Feldsott, Marilou Reeder, and Yolanda Ridge. Your constructive criticism helped me grow in countless ways as a writer, and your hugs and positive words kept me going during the lowest points on this roller coaster ride.
Thanks to Carol Baldwin, for being one of my very first readers of multiple manuscripts and for cheering me on for years and years. A special thanks to Stephanie Gorin, who read and reread Extraordinary and continued to offer suggestions and advice and encouragement. XOXO!
All of the other critique partners from the Blue Boards who offered feedback for various versions of the book that eventually became Extraordinary.
My mom, for filling the house with books and introducing me to a world of literature.
My dad, for inspiring me with your perseverance and for making me feel like an author at a very young age by making copies of all my “books.”
My sister, Naomi Moore, for being my first cheerleader and reading all my early attempts at young adult novels, even those that ended up in the trash can after one hundred pages.
My sister-in-law, Hope Franklin, and my niece, Anna, for teaching me the true meaning of Extraordinary.
My in-laws, Tom and Margaret Franklin, for celebrating everyone’s accomplishments, including mine.
My best friend, Liz Neron, for always being there for me.
My amazing daughters, Eliana and Carissa. You are my Joy. I love you up to the stars and moon and clouds . . . and all the way back.
My husband, Scott, for all your support and encouragement through twenty years of marriage . . . and twenty years of rejections! Thank you for celebrating the tiny victories along the way, for printing out the sparkly notes from an agent or editor and hanging them on your office wall, for putting up with me on those days when the news was not what I’d hoped for. Extraordinary would not be here without you. I love you, always and forever.
And to my students, past and present, for inspiring me with your perseverance, for making me smile on even the most difficult days, and for teaching me more than you will ever know.
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