The girl sings her heart out for probably the millionth time as she watches her favorite movie on the television. Something about bluebirds and lemon drops and wishing upon stars and finding a land where dreams come true.
Next to her rests a giant bowl.
Of popcorn.
On the other side of the bowl sits a hedgehog, wearing a brand-new pair of spectacles and the heartiest of smiles.
And as he looks upon his Dorothy, I think you’ll find—
He’s singing his heart out too.
Acknowledgments
FIRST, I’D LIKE TO THANK the Academy…
Wait. Wrong speech.
To the team at Aladdin: I couldn’t be more grateful. To Kristin Gilson, my editor, thanks for picking up a hitchhiker and guiding Marcel’s story on its journey to publication. Jennifer Bricking, who once again did the most breathtaking cover, thank you! To everyone who’s been working in the wings: Mara Anastas, Sara Berko, Valerie Garfield, Tiara Iandiorio, Michelle Leo, Jenny Lu, Brian Luster, Elizabeth Mims, Karin Paprocki, and Caitlin Sweeny. We share this stage, so come take a bow. It’s greatly deserved. Bravo!
And a special thanks to the ever-effervescent Tricia Lin. My books were lucky to be in your hands. Thank you for rolling out the red carpet. I miss our smoked salmon breakfasts already.
Rena Rossner, my blockbuster agent. Remember how I always tell you what I’m working on and then send you something different? Thanks for not firing me. (I’ll probably do it again.)
Cindy Baldwin, Jessica Vitalis, and Brian Montanaro, thank you for making Marcel’s a better story with your keen eyes and expert critiques. If I had one, I’d share my Oscar with you.
My five-star writing community: #TeamMascaraTracks, Central/Western NY SCBWI, Pitch Wars pals, my 2019 debut partners, and Hope*writers—the friendship, support, and wealth of knowledge you bring to my table can’t be put into words. And to the stars of JPST: Chris Baron, J. Kasper Kramer, Rajani LaRocca, Josh Levy, Gillian McDunn, Naomi Milliner, and Nicole Panteleakos, you are a daily joy. Workshopping under-the-sea mysteries and Three Bears retellings with you is an honor (and a hoot); celebrating every victory and commiserating the hard times together is a gift. You’re my favorite kind of people.
To my beloved friends and family who keep me sane and laughing, I love you forever. And ever and ever and ever. You know who you are.
To all the artists who do the good work of putting hope and truth, beauty, and just. great. art. out there before and beside me, thank you. This book would never have been brought into existence without books and movies like The Wizard of Oz or Leap (whose character Mathurin inspired Marcel), or songs like “Over the Rainbow,” and strangely enough, Ed Sheeran’s energizing “Castle on the Hill” which I played on repeat during the 8,672 Annie Jr. musical rehearsals I wrote through in an elementary school cafeteria filled with budding thespians and one earnest director. And if you want the soundtrack to this book? Listen to Lauren Daigle’s “Rescue,” followed closely by “Love Like This.” In fact, you can probably skip the book and just listen to those two songs. They say everything I wanted and tried to. I found them at a crucial moment in the writing of Marcel’s story. Moments like that keep you writing when everything in the world tells you to quit. I didn’t quit. And those songs will forever stay the anthem of my heart.
Lastly, to every reader out there still finding their way home, keep going.
It’s out there. Whether you find it, or it finds you, your WELCOME HOME is coming.
I’ll tell ’em to brush off the mat.
More from the Author
The Simple Art of Flying
About the Author
CORY LEONARDO IS AN INTERNATIONALLY published author of children’s books (the very best kind). She loves movies and snooping around magical old theaters, but most days you’ll find her reading and writing at a coffee-stained kitchen table, sweeping cookie crumbs from her keyboard. She lives in Baldwinsville, New York, with her husband, her three children, and a naughty, bow-tie-wearing bulldog named Truman.
Aladdin
Simon & Schuster, New York
Visit us at simonandschuster.com/kids
www.SimonandSchuster.com/Authors/Cory-Leonardo
Also by Cory Leonardo
The Simple Art of Flying
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
ALADDIN
An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division
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First Aladdin hardcover edition February 2021
Text copyright © 2021 by Cory Leonardo
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Book designed by Tiara Iandiorio
Jacket design by Tiara Iandiorio © 2021 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Jacket illustration © 2021 by Jennifer Bricking
This book has been cataloged with the Library of Congress.
ISBN 978-1-5344-6759-0 (hc)
ISBN 978-1-5344-6761-3 (eBook)
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