Authors: Laura Harrington

Alice Bliss (38 page)

She looks back over her shoulder at her mother, Ellie, Uncle Eddie, Gram, and they are all caught and held in this moment. All their hopes and their wishes launched on fragile boats, lit on fire and shining like stars in an upside-down sky. Stars floating on the water. Just for a moment, a moment longer. Here. And then gone.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

With thanks to:

* David and Kate, for everything, always.

* The Kleban Foundation for giving me two years to write.

* Paulette Haupt, commissioner and producer of
Alice Unwrapped,
the musical that inspired
Alice Bliss;
Jenny Giering, composer for
Alice Unwrapped
for the magic of her music and for making Alice sing.

* Rachel Kadish, Ann Ziergiebel, Angela Marvin, Jane Potter, Lillian Hsu, Kim Garcia, Liza Rutherford, and Lynn Barclay, my first readers.

* Melanie Kroupa, for seeing the potential.

* Carol Green for giving me space to write, and so much more, in Truro.

* Beth Hartley for information and insights about teens and grief.

* Molly Ziergiebel for information and insights about running.

* My agent, Stephanie Cabot, as well as Sarah Burnes and the entire staff at The Gernert Company.

* My editor, Pamela Dorman, and also her assistant editor, Julie Miesionczek.

* The team at Viking Penguin, with special thanks to Hal Fessenden.