To all the teachers who told me it was okay to write, draw, and tell stories. Thanks especially to:

Mrs. Garnett, second grade, Helen Keller Elementary

Mrs. Hawkinson, fourth grade, Ben Franklin Elementary

Mrs. Adams, sixth grade, Ben Franklin Elementary

Ms. Stufft, eighth grade, Severna Park Middle School

Mrs. Gaggi, tenth grade, Lewis-Palmer High School

Acknowledgments

Jo Anne Vaughn, Daniel Abraham, and Mike Bateman read drafts and offered a ton of support. My editor, Jaime Levine, once again made the notes that brought it all together. Thanks as well to Ashley and Carolyn Grayson for all their help.

Thanks to Mom for joining me on my “research” trip to Las Vegas . Thanks to Dad for watching the dog. You guys rock. Sorry I couldn’t win a million at slots for you.

The Playlist

Electric Light Orchestra, “Mr. Blue Sky”

Frank Sinatra, “Come Fly with Me”

Carmen Miranda, “ Chattanooga Choo-Choo”

The Muppets, “Sheep May Safely Graze/ Rama Lama Ding Dong”

Fleetwood Mac, “When the Sun Goes Down”

George Thorogood, “I Drink Alone”

Steve Miller Band, “Abracadabra”

R.E.M., “ Orange Crush”

Bigod 20, “The Bog”

Pet Shop Boys, “The Theatre”

Soft Cell, “Entertain Me”

Mojo Nixon, “Elvis Is Everywhere”

Rodrigo y Gabriela, “Diablo Rojo”