2020 can head right out the door for all its awfulness. It is disorienting to have rare fortune in this dumpster fire time, as WHAT I CARRY published in January and I will always be grateful. For my own sanity and kind of record-keeping and trying to hold onto any small bright spot in life, I want to express my immense humility and gratitude for the recognition this book is receiving, and let myself be proud of the work my Random House team and I put into making WHAT I CARRY. We are grateful that so many readers found some solace and distraction and even resonance and beauty in its pages in these dark days. I love books more than anything, and when readers, librarians, teachers, bloggers, reviewers and booksellers love books I’ve written? It’s the absolute best feeling in the world. So here, with endless thanks, are some amazing accolades we’ve received. Most of all, all my love and admiration this and every year goes to every kid living in, or aging out of, foster care. You are remarkable and valued and worthy of love and every opportunity and comfort in the world.

* 2020 KIRKUS BEST YA FICTION List *

* 2020 Winter INDIES NEXT LIST Title *

* 2020 Chicago Public Library Best List *

* 2021 YALSA BEST YA FICTION Nominee *

* 2021 CYBILS Award Nominee *