Nancy Baker asked Kimberly McCreight:

Every J.H.and H.S. student AND their parents should be required to read this book; it portrays a very powerful message. You so clearly spoke to the needs of teens to be accepted, the disregard many have for others and the repercussions of bullying. Where did you find your inspiration for this story? What do you feel is the most important action parents can take to never have to reconstruct an Amelia?

Kimberly McCreight Hi Nancy! Thanks for reading and for your kind comments. The inspiration from the story came first and foremost from my own daughters, but--sadly--also from current events. Stories like Amelia's are very common. And I don't have any magic bullet--part of the reason I wrote this story was to demonstrate just how easy it is for something like this to happen even in the closest parent-child relationships. But I do think that's the first step--to realize just that: no child, and no family is immune.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your summer Nancy!

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