Navigating Early (33 page)

And to my favorite four—Luke, Paul, Grace, and Lucy. I’m a lucky mom. My only complaint is you’re all growing up too fast. So all birthdays are canceled for next year!

And Mark. My north star—and a true gentleman.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CLARE VANDERPOOL loves to read, research, and travel. Writing
Navigating Early
gave her the opportunity to do all three. On a research trip to Maine, Clare explored lighthouses, walked on sandy beaches, visited a boarding school, and even took her own trek on the Appalachian Trail. Unfortunately, she did not run into any bears. That would have been some
research
!

Clare started reading at age five and writing at age six, when her first poem was published in the school newspaper. Her first novel,
Moon Over Manifest
, was awarded the John Newbery Medal for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

Clare lives in Wichita, Kansas, with her husband and their four children.