Gingersnap (14 page)

Oh, dear ghost, wherever you are resting at your silver lake, thank you. I do thank you
.

Memories of my father, Bill, and my mother, Alice, first made me want to write this story. My father built lovely ponds in Lynbrook and Deposit, New York. My mother counted homecoming points for our neighbor’s return from the war.

I owe an enormous debt to my cousin and lifelong friend, Ed Reilly, who generously shared his books about the war in the Pacific with me.

My son Jim said, “I knew you’d come,” words that I cherish. My son Bill read the manuscript over and over, talking me through it. My daughter, Alice, was always there, supporting me and offering help.

As always, my editor, Wendy Lamb, was the source of tremendous encouragement and advice. Dana Carey, assistant editor, had many insights for me and lent me her name for the bakery on Carey Street.

Most of all, I must thank my dear husband, Jim, who served in the Pacific during World War II and told me his stories.

And I can’t forget Brooklyn, home of my heart.

PATRICIA REILLY GIFF is the author of many beloved books for children, including the Kids of the Polk Street School books, the Friends and Amigos books, and the Polka Dot Private Eye books. Several of her novels for older readers have been chosen as ALA-ALSC Notable Children’s Books and ALA-YALSA Best Books for Young Adults. They include
The Gift of the Pirate Queen; All the Way Home; Water Street; Nory Ryan’s Song
, a Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Golden Kite Honor Book for Fiction; and the Newbery Honor Books
Lily’s Crossing
and
Pictures of Hollis Woods. Lily’s Crossing
was also chosen as a
Boston Globe–Horn Book
Honor Book. Her most recent books are
R My Name Is Rachel
,
Storyteller
,
Wild Girl
, and
Eleven
, as well as the Zigzag Kids series. She lives in Connecticut.

Patricia Reilly Giff is available for select readings and lectures. To inquire about a possible appearance, please contact the Random House Speakers Bureau at
[email protected]
.