Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere (35 page)

You'll always be my little girl, Armani
.

Now ain't that nice?

Daddy and Memaw were sitting right there beside me. I could feel them.

I kept my eyes closed tight and let my head tilt up toward Heaven. I wrapped my foot around my brother's, gave a push on the concrete, and took in the music of the swing.
High-squeak, low-squeak
 . . .

First, I need to express my gratitude to the beautiful and brave children whose paths crossed mine at a time when it really did seem that our world had been turned upside down. I am a better me because I had the opportunity to meet each of you.

Quinlan Lee, thank you for believing and paving the way for possibilities. I'm proud to be a member of the Adams Literary family.

Tender thanks to the super talented Karen Smullen. You were my first fan and the consummate cheerleader.

Thank you, Holly Alder, for telling me that my writing was good. You unknowingly gave me that credible sign of consent to be a writer. For this, I will always be grateful.

A ginormous, heartfelt thank-you to my dear, devoted friend and mentor, Shelley Souza, for countless hours of reading those messy early drafts. You never wavered with your ability to ask the questions that needed to be asked, and you helped me to uncover the story that was buried within.

Thank you seems inadequate in reference to my amazing editor, Tamra Tuller. You gave breath to Armani's story. It is a privilege and honor to work with you.

I also want to thank Taylor Norman, Ginee Seo, Kim Lauber, Kristine Brogno, Lara Starr, Wendy Thorpe, Ann Spradlin, Claire Fletcher, and the entire team at Chronicle Books for allowing this one small, important voice to be heard.

And finally, to my husband, Keith, and our joyful kids: thank you for teaching me the true meaning of home.

JULIE T. LAMANA
grew up in a military family, moving frequently throughout the United States and Japan. She and her husband, Keith, eventually chose to make Louisiana their permanent home. Julie was working as an after-school Literacy Specialist in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina tore through her state. She was in a position to help displaced children through one of the most devastating tragedies in U.S. history, giving her a unique insight into the survivor's experience and sparking the idea to write
Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere
.

Julie currently lives with her family in Greenwell Springs, Louisiana.
Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere
is her debut novel.