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I have so much love for my own spectacular friends—Shana Hancock, Gaelyn Galbreath, Kate Lawson, Amy Lukavics, Laurie Devore, and Phoebe North. You ladies are the reason I want to write stories like these. Thank you for your love and constant inspiration.

Writing about Agnes’s blindness was a challenge for me, despite having the same condition that she does. It takes a lot of courage to open up about your own disability sometimes, and I want to thank those who have encouraged me in this. The most thanks goes to my Disability in Kidlit teammates, Corinne Duyvis and Kayla Whaley. You two make me smarter and braver every day. And thanks to Holly Scott-Gardner for reading early chapters.

My mother would kill me if I didn’t take a moment to thank my family, especially her and my dad, who never let me forget how proud they are of me. I know sometimes I act annoyed when you brag to strangers about my writing, but I’m so glad to have parents who support my work. I’m also lucky to have amazing siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Thank you all so much for everything you’ve done for me over the years.

And, finally—but most importantly—I want to thank you, my readers. Without you, I wouldn’t be able to write the stories that I love. You give me the courage and the strength and the hope I need to keep writing. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You are my heroes.





Kody Keplinger was born and raised in a small Kentucky town. During her senior year of high school, she wrote her debut novel, The DUFF, which was a New York Times bestseller, a USA Today bestseller, a YALSA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, and a Romantic Times Top Pick. It has since been adapted into a major motion picture. Kody is also the author of Lying Out Loud, a companion to The DUFF; Shut Out; and A Midsummer’s Nightmare, as well as the middle-grade novel The Swift Boys & Me. Kody lives in New York City, where she teaches writing workshops and continues to write books for kids and teens. You can find more about her and her books at www.kodykeplinger.com.