At a crucial moment early in the writing of this book, John Green said: "Couldn't she just want a boy?"--and that was very helpful. Jamin Melissa Clark helped me get my Seattle details right, though I invented stuff about the Woodland Park Zoo and the B&O Espresso to suit my narrative purposes. My mom suggested the treasure map and ideas for Doctor Z's therapeutic practices.
Ayun Halliday kept me on track in the Starbucks dungeon. Bob kept me writing at top speed and rubbed ointment on all my bruises. Libba Bray was on the mommy schedule with me. Maureen Johnson talked to me about my plot when all was dark.
Sarah Mlynowski read an early draft and said "Boring!" in all the boring bits--thereby making the book immeasurably better. Lauren Myracle read a later draft and gave me lots of smiley faces and tough love.
I got my marshmallow sculpture ideas from a number of cookbooks and Web sites, including all kinds of materials by Martha Stewart and a book called Betty Crocker Decorating Cakes and Cupcakes. Rawfoods .com was very helpful for Elaine Oliver's recipes, and I had help with
Roo's movie lists from Cecil Castelluci, Debbie Garfinkle, Lauren Barnholdt, Sarah Mlynowski, Siobhan Vivian, Daniel Waters, Farrin Jacobs and a number of readers unknown to me who posted ideas to my blog.
My love and gratitude to my family for their support and patience.