Breaking Sky (27 page)

Thank you for reading
!

At Sourcebooks we are always working on something new and exciting, and we don't want you to miss out.

So sign up now to receive exclusive offers, bonus content, and always be the first to get the scoop on what's new!

SIGN UP NOW!

First and foremost, I thank my grandfather, father, and brother for their inspiring service in the U.S. Air Force. Their dedication and skill have left me honored to say that I come from a military family.

Many loving thanks to
everyone
at the Writing for Children & Young Adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Additionally, I offer thanks and call signs to the following flyboy friends and family who gave their enthusiasm to this story:

Kelly “Steam Queen” Barson

Nick “Awesome Neighbor” Borders

Winifred “Marathon” Conkling

Mary “Mermaid” Cronin

Anna “Princess” Drury

Tina “Steve” Elliget

Conor “Stinker” McCarthy

Evan “Beager” McCarthy

Mark “Poppy” McCarthy

Joan “Dynamite” McCarthy

Tara “Bat Mama” Nickerson

Christian “Scholar Hot” Peterson

Maverick “Winnie Pooh” Peterson

Tirzah “Mac” Price

and

Trent “Frost” Reedy

This book would not have been possible without my ever-supporting literary agent, Sarah “Wingbuilder” Davies, and my keen-eyed editor, Aubrey “Sherlock” Poole. A special thank-you to Leah Hultenschmidt for inviting me into the Sourcebooks family.

My fascination with the military sustained me during my toughest school years, and this story came straight from that struggle for direction. For that reason, an André the Giant–sized thank-you goes to Alissa (McFerren) Arnold for sleepovers, inside jokes, and innumerable viewings of
Top
Gun
. Also, a blushing thank-you to the real Tristan, whose name proved too perfect to fictionalize.

I would not be a writer without the love, respect, and support of my parents, family, and friends. And most importantly (*!), I would not have had the courage for this story without the guidance of my RIO, Amy Rose “Aurora” Capetta.

Aim high. Fly, fight,
win
.

Love & cheers,

Cori “Sparks” McCarthy

Cori McCarthy was born in Guam, a military brat. She studied poetry and screenwriting before earning an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Kirkus called her debut YA novel,
The
Color
of
Rain
, “[an] elegantly written and emotionally cathartic page-turner.” Cori aspires to fly in a fighter, but until then, she sticks with roller coasters and skydiving. Find out more at
www.CoriMcCarthy.com
.