That is: prequel and sequel.
And a story that stands alone.
I discovered an important distinction: not a longer story, but a larger one. The canvas got bigger.
Everyone has stories. Most of us have no idea what others are going through. We move through our lives, running into people all the time, and we just don’t know what is really happening behind closed doors. So that’s where it started for me. I asked myself, What’s been going on in Mary’s life?
My editor, Liz Szabla, was enormously helpful during a couple of long conversations that explored the possibilities. It hit us that Mary’s brother had a substance use disorder, though I’m sure I would not have known to use that specific language at the time. I had a lot to learn.
Fortunately, there’s a wealth of informative, raw, deeply personal literature on the subject. I should mention, in particular, six books that were especially enlightening: If You Love Me by Maureen Cavanagh; Beautiful Boy by David Sheff; Saving Jake by D’Anne Burwell; Addict in the Family by Beverly Conyers; The Joey Song by Sandra Swenson; and Beyond Addiction by Jeffrey Foote, PhD, Carrie Wilkens, PhD, and Nicole Kosanke, PhD, with Stephanie Higgs.
It was painful reading at times. I didn’t write for months. Just took notes and thought and thought. The stories I encountered were remarkably inspirational, ultimately leaving me with a feeling of awe and respect. My empathy for “the addict” deepened, and the more I learned, the more I felt a sense of clarity about what I needed to say about this hidden disease that is all too frequently associated with blame and shame.
Years ago, on a school visit, I met a librarian, Colleen Leclair, who shared with me some of her experiences as a mother of a young man with substance use issues. We’ve stayed in touch ever since, and she’s been generous and open with her hard-won insights.
I’d also like to thank Young Do, Executive Director of Hospitality House in Albany, New York. A counselor had suggested that I contact Young, who instantly agreed to meet for coffee. He was amazingly open and supportive. Young and I talked for nearly two hours. He invited me to visit his facility, and he’s been a source of inspiration and guidance throughout. In fact, a story that Young confided about his own experience gave me the inspiration for the opening of Upstander.
The narcan incident described in the book sprang from further reading and conversations with librarians. Of course, it’s something many of us have known all along. There are heroes out there, and some of them are working in our public libraries, doing whatever it takes to better serve the needs of the community.
In the world of substance use, treatment strategies are openly debated. No one has the blueprint solution. Every situation is unique. But I have come to believe, more than ever, that unfailing kindness and love and connection are essential elements for successful recovery. At least, I think that’s the best place to start—with an open, fragile, resilient heart.
And never, ever give up hope.
Thank you for reading this Feiwel & Friends book.
The friends who made
UPSTANDER
possible are:
Jean Feiwel, Publisher
Liz Szabla, Associate Publisher
Rich Deas, Senior Creative Director
Holly West, Senior Editor
Anna Roberto, Senior Editor
Kat Brzozowski, Senior Editor
Dawn Ryan, Senior Managing Editor
Kim Waymer, Senior Production Manager
Erin Siu, Associate Editor
Emily Settle, Associate Editor
Rachel Diebel, Assistant Editor
Foyinsi Adegbonmire, Editorial Assistant
Michael Burroughs, Senior Designer
Lelia Mander, Production Editor
Follow us on Facebook or visit us online at mackids.com. Our books are friends for life.
About the Author
James Preller is the author of the Jigsaw Jones chapter book series as well as numerous novels, including The Courage Test, Better Off Undead, and Blood Mountain. His novel Bystander was praised in a starred review as “a must-read book” about bullying by School Library Journal and has been adapted into a play used by middle-school theater groups across the country. He lives with his family in Delmar, New York. Visit him online at Jamespreller.com, or sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
1. [Gravel]
2. [Triangle]
3. [Interlopers]
4. [Connection]
5. [Marshmallows]
6. [Ghosts]
8. [Family]
9. [Things]
10. [Walking]
11. [Roberta’s]
12. [Excluded]
13. [Boardwalk]
14. [Missing]
15. [Staying]
16. [Choices]
17. [Griff]
18. [Favor]
19. [Bikes]
20. [Ketchup]
21. [Court]
22. [Tennis]
23. [Floating]
24. [Crystals]
25. [School]
26. [Wolves]
27. [Junkie]
28. [Paella]
29. [Empathy]
30. [Denial]
31. [Catch]
32. [Apology]
33. [Rumor]
34. [Boot]
35. [Narcan]
36. [Never]
37. [Stones]
38. [Sticks]
Author’s Note
About the Author
Copyright
Copyright © 2021 by James Preller.
A Feiwel and Friends Book
An imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC
120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271
mackids.com
All rights reserved.
Feiwel and Friends logo designed by Filomena Tuosto
Library of Congress Control Number: 2020919105
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First hardcover edition 2021
eBook edition 2021
eISBN 9781250251541