Olivia Twist(89)

To my sons, Ben and Alex, for falling in love with the musical Oliver! and quoting it even more than I do. “Whot did you say?”

To the friends who keep me sane: Jennifer Osborn, Laurie Pezzot, Mindee Arnett, Tricia Lacey, Angie Knopp, Brenda Hess, Deanna Miller, Amy Wolf, Maryann Murad, Jennifer Dilly, Lisa Litz, Jennifer Egbert, JR. Forasteros, and my Southbrook Bible study crew!

Thanks to my early readers: Jessica Lemmon (who was surprised that historical could be funny), Sienna Condy, Jennifer Stark, and Jennifer Osborne.

To my book besties and critique partners, Carey Corp and Melissa Landers, for being the best travel buddies a girl could have. And most of all, for not letting me turn this book into Oliver Twist “With Magic Mother &#^%@*!” I love you both!

Thanks to Kirk DouPonce for using your artistic brilliance to design a cover that says, “This is not your grandmother’s historical!”

A big thank you to Marisa Miller, Lee Slater, Lilly Santiago, and Sasha Alsberg for your support and inspiration.

Thanks to the band One Republic for the music that stitched Jack “the Artful Dodger” MacCarron together in my mind. (If you’d like to hear the full playlist for Olivia Twist, please visit my website, www.LorieLangdon.com, for the link.)

To my readers, I am grateful for each and every one of you! Thank you for the letters, art, book photos, for coming to my events, spreading the word about my books, and welcoming my characters into your hearts. You are the reason why I love writing young adult literature!

A special thank you goes out to my Grandma Joyce, who started this whole journey by taking me to see a revival of Oliver! in the theater. And to my Grandpa Leon, who left us the week I typed “The End” on this book. Our story will continue one day when I’m with you both in eternity.

And last, but always first, my Father God, who has given me more than I could ask or think possible!