The Reader (37 page)

I
n some ways, I've always believed books are magic—transformative, incendiary, transcendent. Time machines and puzzle boxes and keys to doors we didn't even know existed, deep in our hearts.

But during this past year I've come to realize that books are magic because
people are magic
—brilliant, generous, talented beyond measure. This book wouldn't be here without the summoners and channelers, the conjurers and magicians who pull figurative rabbits out of figurative top hats . . . the readers and believers. Their touch has given this book a voice, a body, a life—and for that I am endlessly grateful.

Mountains of gratitude to my dragon-riding agent-warrior, Barbara Poelle, who swooped in and sent me off on this extraordinary journey. Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine I could be matched with such an incredible advocate and partner,
and I could not be luckier, or prouder, to be a Poellean. You are a force of nature. Thank you for everything.

I knew in my first conversation with my editor Stacey Barney that she was the person to helm this book, and not once has she steered us wrong. Thank you for believing, for your unerring sense of story and your unflinching approach to revision, and for never letting me scrape by with anything less than my best. Your influence has made
The Reader
a better book and me a better writer.

Legions of thanks to Jennifer Besser and all the amazing people at Putnam and Penguin who've shepherded this story into the world: David Briggs, Emily Rodriguez, Elizabeth Lunn, Wendy Pitts, and Cindy Howle. With extra special applause and appreciation for Marisa Russell, my exceedingly talented publicist, and Kate Meltzer, who answers all my questions with kindness and always lets me ask more.

So much awe and gratitude to Chandra Wohleber and Janet Rosenberg for their attention to diction and detail. Thank you for making each sentence the best version of itself.

To all the people who have turned these words into a real, physical book: you are actual wizards. Thanks to Cecilia Yung, Marikka Tamura, and David Kopka for listening to all my ideas for hidden messages and puzzles and turning them into reality. It has been a rare pleasure working with mapmaker extraordinaire Ian Schoenherr—thank you for being the best kind of collaborator. I am grateful for (and still a little flabbergasted by) the sorcery of Deborah Kaplan and Kristin Smith, who furnished
The Reader
in such striking form, and I owe fountains of thanks to Yohey Horishita, whose breathtaking illustrations
capture so perfectly the spirit of
The Reader
. Thank you all. You've made this book more than a book.

To Heather Baror-Shapiro, thank you for hoisting the sails and setting Sefia, Archer, and Reed on countless new adventures around the world.

Never-ending love and gratitude to my family for making sure I was never alone on this journey. To Mom and Chris, who always believed in me, thank you for giving me the opportunity and encouragement to do what I love most, and for showing me that success means working at it hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute. This book never would have been written without you. To Auntie Kats, thank you for all the little things: for letting me read your comic books, for TV nights and hiking trips, for letting me paint dragons in your closet. I am so lucky to be your niece. To Dad, who turned every day into a story, every trip to the park into an epic adventure, thank you. I miss you.

To Cole, thank you for putting up with all my anxious and emotional writerly ways, for cooking dinner and running errands and giving the dogs baths when I'm buried in edits, for never making it a secret that you're proud of me. All the words in this novel wouldn't be enough to thank you for your encouragement and support. I love you.

I'm indebted to my friend Diane Glazman, the toughest critic and sharpest reader I've ever crossed, for ruthlessly demolishing my early drafts and whipping this plot into shape.

To Matthew Tucker, this all began because you wanted me to write a fantasy story. Here you go.

Huge thanks to the inimitable Brenda Drake for hosting the best writing contest on the internet, and big hugs and
high-fives to my fellow Pitch Warriors of 2014, especially my friend and teammate Kirsten Squires. Your support has shown me the importance of community in a profession that's often so isolating. I feel so lucky to be on this road with you.

I've said it once and I'll say it again: I wouldn't be here without Renée Ahdieh. If this were a storybook, you'd be some wondrous combination of fairy godmother, knight in shining armor, and ass-kicking best friend. Your belief, your guidance, and your friendship are irreplaceable. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thanks to my fellow debuts in the Sweet Sixteens and the Class of 2k16, in particular the magical wonders Jessica Cluess and Tara Sim, whose friendship has been a more valuable resource than any blog post, spreadsheet, or how-to-survive-your-debut-year guide. You two are the actual best.

And finally, to any student or summer camper who's ever chatted with me about books, TV, movies, or video games, who's ever named a ship, a character, or a kingdom—your imagination is
inspiring
. I hope you go after your dreams with passion, with tenacity, and with kindheartedness. I believe in your stories. Write them
well.

TRACI CHEE
is an all-around word geek who loves book arts and art books, poetry and paper crafts. She studied literature and creative writing at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and earned a master of arts degree from San Francisco State University. Traci grew up in a small town with more cows than people, and now feels most at home in the mountains, scaling switchbacks and happening upon hidden highland lakes. She lives in California with her fast-fast dog.
The Reader
is her YA debut.

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