Fenway and Hattie (11 page)

Acknowledgments

In the midst of my own family's chaotic
move from the suburbs to the city, I found a way to cope by journaling as a dog named Fenway. Eventually, those notes turned into a character, and his story became a book—after a lot of hard work and with the help of many, many people.

All of them deserve treats.

A pile of meaty bones to my Super Agent, Marietta Zacker, the greatest champion any characters (or author) could ever have. Not only did she believe in Fenway from the very beginning, but she encouraged me to dig out more of Hattie's story, and in the process, we dug out more of Fenway's story, too.

A platter of juicy hot dogs to my Editor Extraordinaire, Susan Kochan, who opened her arms and welcomed Fenway and Hattie into the Best Home Ever. With enthusiasm and patience, not to mention
brilliance, she fed and cared for them, gave them plenty of fun and exercise, and even taught them a few new tricks as they prepared to go out into the world.

A basketful of chew sticks to the fabulous editorial team at Putnam and all the talented people at Penguin Books for Young Readers for their countless hours of hard work and creativity in making this story into a book. Every one of them has earned an extra walk, plus a carefree game of Frisbee at the Dog Park!

A room full of squeaky toys to my amazing writer friends, who embraced Fenway at first sniff, eagerly tossed the ball without tiring, remained stubbornly loyal through slobbery messes and unmentionable mishaps, and even held his paw at the vet's office once or twice. A loud round of squeaks go to Hillary Hall Debaun, Sheri L. Gilbert, Joe Lawlor, Cynthia Levinson, Cheryl Lawton Malone, Judy Mintz, Pat Sherman, Pamela de Oliveira Smith, Donna Woelki, my classmates from Grub Street Boston, and my very wise and generous teacher Ben H. Winters.

And best of all, a long, joyous romp on the beach for my family: Ralph, Philip, and James. A writer and her dog could never know more incredible support, longer-lasting patience, or greater love. I hope I've given you lots to be proud of. And laugh about.
XXOO.

Victoria J. Coe
grew up in the seaside community of Duxbury, Massachusetts, and went on to live in New York and San Francisco, as well as large and small towns on both US coasts. During her family's most recent move, she noticed her dog's confusion and started to wonder what was going through his mind. As they walked in Boston's Fenway neighborhood, his reactions to the sights, sounds, and smells of the city took hold of her imagination. Although she has written for many publications and nonprofit causes, authoring her first novel for children is the realization of a lifelong dream. Victoria now lives with her family on the outskirts of Boston, where she and her dog are always on the lookout for delivery trucks. And squirrels.

www.victoriajcoe.com
instagram.com/victoriajcoe
Twitter:
@victoriajcoe

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