My Own Revolution (15 page)
Authors: Carolyn Marsden
With my camera that still has no film, I aim and focus, then push the silver button. I shoot one last beautiful photograph.
I would like to acknowledge Milan Smolko, who escaped from Czechoslovakia as a teen and inspired this story; Mirek Sykora and Ann Brownlee Sykora, who assisted with anecdotes and cultural accuracy; my two critique groups — the Snail Society and the Flaming Tulips — for their careful reading and insights; Kelly Sonnack, my agent, who supported me throughout the process; and finally, my editor, Deborah Noyes Wayshak, for her unerring guidance and faith in me.
Carolyn Marsden
is the acclaimed author of numerous multicultural novels. She continues to enjoy writing about children from various countries. About
My Own Revolution,
she says, “I came upon the inspiration for the story when I met a Czechoslovakian surgeon who described escaping the country when he was fourteen years old. Right away, I knew that this was a story I wanted to write.” Carolyn Marsden has an MFA in writing for children from Vermont College.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or, if real, are used fictitiously.
Copyright © 2012 by Carolyn Marsden
Cover photographs: copyright © 2012 by Simon Roberts/Gallery Stock (Lenin statue); copyright © 2012 by Ivonne/Veer (teens)
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in an information retrieval system in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, taping, and recording, without prior written permission from the publisher.
First electronic edition 2012
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 2012942296
ISBN 978-0-7636-5395-8 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-7636-6212-7 (electronic)
Candlewick Press
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Somerville, Massachusetts 02144
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www.candlewick.com
