The Wild Path

by Sarah R. Baughman

  Claire’s journey in The Wild Path was inspired by the millions of people who have been impacted by a loved one’s struggle with the disease of addiction. The issue is widespread; in 2017 alone (the most recent year from which we have data), 19.7 million Americans aged twelve and older battled a substance abuse disorder.1 Still, there is so much stigma and shame surrounding addiction—and it’s up to all of us to break the silence by sharing experiences and telling stories like this one.

  Addiction is widely recognized by the American Medical Association and other organizations as a disease. It’s important to have sympathy for people struggling with addiction, and to know that change is possible, while also recognizing the far-reaching negative impacts of this issue. Both those who battle addiction, like Andy, and their loved ones, like Claire, commonly feel anger, guilt, confusion, powerlessness, and other strong emotions. If you or someone you love shows signs of addiction, these resources might help:

  • Alcoholics Anonymous (aa.org)

  • Al-Anon (al-anon.org)

  • Center on Addiction (centeronaddiction.org)

  Claire also experiences anxiety, which can manifest in different ways for different people, with varying degrees of severity. If you think anxiety affects you, share your feelings with a trusted adult or a doctor. A trusted adult can also help you explore the following resources:

  • Child Mind Institute (childmind.org)

  • National Institute of Mental Health (nimh.nih.gov)

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

  The path to recovery is wide and long, but you need not walk it alone.

  Footnote

  1 samhsa.gov/datareport/2017-nsduh-annual-national-report

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  The path a book travels from initial idea to finished product is indeed wild, full of surprising twists and turns and fueled by the persistence to continue moving forward. I am eternally grateful to the many people who helped bring The Wild Path into the world.

  Thanks to Katie Grimm, my tireless agent: I’m so glad you’re in my corner.

  Lisa Yoskowitz and Hannah Milton, thanks as always for your keen editorial vision. Special thanks to Alexandra Hightower, who stepped in at a crucial time and guided Claire’s story in important directions. I’m grateful to all of you for providing the patience, encouragement, and critical insight I needed. My appreciation extends to Chandra Wohleber, Annie McDonnell, Alexander Kelleher-Nagorski, Christie Michel, and the entire Little, Brown publishing team for supporting this book. I absolutely love the breathtaking cover, so beautifully rendered by artist David Dean and designer Jenny Kimura.

  Thanks to Jim Balmer, Jess Redman, Lisa Higgins, and Carrie Barker, readers and friends who offered professional expertise on mental health, addiction treatment, and equine therapy. Phillis Mosher, your encouragement means the world to me. Nicole Goldstein, you are the world’s best critique partner. Stephanie Cohen-Perez and Nat Razi, I’m grateful for your thoughtful notes on characterization. Thanks also to Sergeant Kevin Cister of the Zeeland Police Department, who answered logistical questions; and Rory Carr, who clarified medical information.

  I’ve been privileged to collaborate through the #KidsNeedMentors program with teacher extraordinaire Teri Kestner and her middle school students, who read an early draft of this book and offered valuable suggestions that I incorporated. The Wild Path wouldn’t be quite the same without these students—Izzy Goldenstein, Max Krus, Elizabeth Perry, and Mylie Waddill—who continually impressed me with their insights.

  It feels impossible to count the forces that contributed to this story by fostering my love of reading, writing, family, and nature. From my parents, Don and Sharon Reinhard; to my brothers, Daniel and David Reinhard; to my neighbor Peg Metzger, who gave me a new book every Christmas Eve; to the many horses I rode and loved growing up, along with the teachers who helped me work with and care for them—including Gretchen Bittner, Carol Johnson, and the guides and instructors at Rainbow Ranch: Thank you for shaping my life.

  Endless thanks go to my incredibly supportive, patient, and encouraging husband, Matthew, the strongest person I know. And to my children, Aaron and Joan, who have heard the sentence “Mama has to work a little longer on her book” too many times: I love you to the stars and back. You’re the best of the best.

  Ashley Cleveland

  SARAH R. BAUGHMAN is a former middle and high school English teacher who now works in curriculum development. Sarah graduated from Grinnell College and the University of Michigan, then went on to teach English overseas. After spending a number of years in rural northeastern Vermont, she recently moved back to Michigan with her husband and their two children. The Wild Path is her second work for young readers; she is also the author of the middle-grade novel The Light in the Lake.