This book is dedicated to every person who has ever looked into a mirror and
thought, “I’m not good enough.”
With special thanks to all the people who have convinced me I am good enough.
To my mom and dad, who encouraged my talents; and to the teachers who
honed those gifts. To my husband, who gathered me in, and to my children,
who taught me patience. To my cadre of friends who prop me up when I need
it. To Ash Canyon Poets, who helped grow my poetry, and SCBWI, which showed
me the way.
To my agent, Laura Rennert, and the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. To my editor
and friend, Emma Dryden. To the whole crew at Simon & Schuster who help my
books be the best they can be. To teachers and librarians, who share my books
with their kids. And, finally, to my readers, who keep faith in me.
YOU ARE READING
Perfect
PoetryEveryone has something, someone, somewhere else that they’d rather be. For four high-school seniors, their goals of perfection are just as different as the paths they take to get there. Cara’s parents’ unrealistic expectations have already sent her...