The Lost Girl of Astor Street(102)

Jill Williamson, Shannon Dittemore, and Rachelle Rea, thank you for taking the time to read early versions of this story and for strengthening it with your writerly wisdom. Karen Buckman, thank you for studying something so useful in college and pointing me in the right direction when I needed sources on early forensics. Sally Bradley, thank you for taking the time to help with my Chicago research, even when this book was barely an idea.

Mom and Dad, you’ve encouraged my love of reading and writing since I was itty-bitty. Thank you for your words of encouragement then and your acts of encouragement now—watching the kids so I can write, reading early versions of my books, and understanding when I can’t do something because I have to work. You’re the best.

Ann and Bruce, thank you for all the free babysitting and support. Writing would still be on my “Someday, I want to . . .” list if it weren’t for your willingness to watch the kids so frequently.

Kelli Stouder, you once told me that you hate slow dancing because you always try to lead. Thank you not just for being such a supportive friend, but also being someone who says fabulous stuff that I can steal for characters.

There’s no way I could write if I didn’t have such amazing, loving people caring for McKenna and Connor. Thank you Lauren Sargent, Ruth Jones, Debbie Anderson, Sheila Bieberbach, and Stephanie Dickinson for loving on and teaching my kids while I worked on this book.

Lastly, thank you to the amazing writers who hang out with me on GoTeenWriters.com. It’s an honor to be on the writing journey with you!