by Joanne Levy
This book is dedicated to my parents and for good reason: I can’t imagine having two more supportive and loving parents had I handpicked them. They always told me that I could be whatever I wanted to be, and it seems they were right. Except for that time I told them what I wanted was to be a pony owner. Still, they were both integral in giving me the tools to work hard, be persistent, and reach for the stars. Though my mom isn’t here anymore, I know she’s out there somewhere, talking to anyone who will listen about her daughter, the published author.
A huge thank-you to my constant support and biggest cheerleader, my husband, Deke. Thank you for the plot assistance, encouragement, and never-ending belief in me. You are an amazing partner and I am so honored to be your Team Snow cocaptain.
For my early readers of this book: Joyce Grant, Carrie Grosvenor, and Gina Rosati—thank you, thank you, thank you. I am often plagued by “Can’t-see-the-forest-for-the-trees-itis,” so having wonderful readers like you made my job way easier.
I have been working at this writing thing a long time and have amassed a great many writer friends who helped with advice, beta reads, kind words, and encouragement. Among them, I have to personally thank Lisa McMann, Eileen Cook, Jennifer Nielsen, the members of the Class of 2k12, and my local writer friends of Torkidlit. Also, to Matt McMann, who carried my luggage and is generally awesome—see you at the water cooler.
I know this is getting long, but I think it’s important to also recognize those people who are so essential to a book’s success after it is published. Teachers, librarians, booksellers, bloggers (I’m looking at you, Nerdy Bookclubbers!), and other book lovers who put the right books into children’s hands. You did a great job with Small Medium at Large and I hope you find Crushing It worthy of the same treatment. Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart.
Joanne Levy is the author of the novel Small Medium at Large. A survivor of the corporate world, she now works from home, supporting other authors and creating the friends she wishes she’d had when she was a kid. Joanne lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband and a lot of pets, one of whom vomited during the writing of this bio. Visit her online at joannelevy.com.
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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.
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First Aladdin M!X edition January 2017
Text copyright © 2017 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Cover illustration copyright © 2017 by Angela Li
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Book designed by Laura Lyn DiSiena
Jacket designed by Laura Lyn DiSiena
Jacket illustration copyright © 2017 by Angela Li
The text of this book was set in Palatino.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Levy, Joanne, author.
Title: Crushing it / by Joanne Levy.
Description: Aladdin M!X edition. | New York : Aladdin M!X, 2016. | Summary: Middle school is bad enough for braces-wearing, manga-loving, uncoordinated Kat, but helping her two best friends get together will mean that Kat has no chance of winning Tyler’s affection for herself.
Identifiers: LCCN 2015042245 | ISBN 9781481464734 (pbk) | ISBN 9781481464741 (hc) | ISBN 9781481464758 (eBook)
Subjects: | CYAC: Middle schools—Fiction. | Schools—Fiction. | Best friends—Fiction. | Friendship—Fiction. | Cousins—Fiction. | Self-esteem—Fiction.
Classification: LCC PZ7.L58323 Cru 2016 | DDC [Fic]—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2015042245