People on the autism spectrum struggle with sensory overload. Too much noise, too much color, too much conversation—even touch can make a person with autism explode into a tantrum or fall prey to a panic attack. Some of them experience trouble communicating from birth. Others—like Holden—progress normally and then experience a sudden, unexplainable setback. Every person’s story is different.
For those of you who know and love someone with autism, I have prayed for you often. In my research something I heard time and again was that kids with autism have a special way of loving others. They are kind and sincere, and often their odd or different behaviors are very genuine expressions of emotions or feelings locked inside them.
I’m also keenly aware that not everyone who prays and loves and works with their autistic child will experience the miracle Holden received. However, I patterned Holden after the real-life Samuel. So I do know that some kids with autism can be unlocked. Some can make amazing strides, and with today’s advancements in autism, hope remains strong for everyone involved.
In addition, if you’re not directly connected with autism in some way, I pray that the story of Holden made you more sensitive to people around you who might be different. Kindness can go a long way toward understanding each other, and I found myself learning as I journeyed with Ella through her patient friendship with Holden.
Another topic I’ve never dealt with is suicide… and it was very, very difficult. Life is God’s. It is His to give and His to take away. If you or someone you love is struggling with meaning in life, or especially if you know someone being bullied, please report the situation immediately. If you don’t find life worth living, you need help. See a counselor, take yourself to an emergency room, or talk to someone you trust. In the end the only way I could deal with Michael’s suicide was to show his last minute change of mind.
That’s one of the worst parts about suicide—it’s final. But that does not have to be the outcome. God wants us all to embrace life —not because it’s easy or pleasant or even always tolerable. But because life is from Him. If you woke up today and you were breathing, God’s greatest purpose for your life is still ahead. God tells us in Deuteronomy that He sets before us life and death, blessings and curses. “Now choose life!” is the message of the Bible.
I pray that for each of you and for those you love.
Finally, I dealt with the idea that there are many ways to be locked in your own world. Life is too short to be anything but real with the cast of characters God has placed in the story of your life. Love well, laugh often, and find your life in Christ. Don’t hide away or be a follower. Be the wonderful unique person God made you to be, and know that your purpose will always be best when defined by your faith in Him.
As always, I look forward to hearing your feedback on this book. I’ll tell you something. I outlined Unlocked on a flight from Washington, DC’s Dulles Airport to Portland, Oregon. I started writing, and hours later I had filled twenty pages in a spiral notebook. Page after page, just pouring from my heart. Along the way I caught myself loving Holden Harris and Ella Reynolds, and weeping with them at the loss of Michael.
I’m sure my seatmates thought I was a few crayons short of a box.
But when I was finished, I had the sudden, certain feeling that I was on holy ground, that God had met me in that crowded plane and given me this story as a very special gift. I saved my boarding pass and scribbled on it “Unlocked” and the date. It was the first time I’d ever done anything like that. I just wanted you to know.
Anyway, take a minute and find me on Facebook or visit my website at www.KarenKingsbury.com. There you can find my contact information and my guestbook. You could even join the Baxter Family Club—a special set of benefits for those of you who read all my books, pretty much as soon as they hit the shelves! Just one way I can show how much I care about you.
Baxter Family Club members get a limited run Collector’s Signature edition of each book. This is a high-quality paperback book with a copy of my signature integrated into the cover. Club members also receive an “extra chapter” of each book sent by email, and a newsletter with each release written by John Baxter. There’s no membership fee except the reduced price of the book—and you can opt out anytime. See my website—www.KarenKingsbury.com—for details.
As for Facebook, I’m on nearly every day! I have Latte Time, where I’ll take a half hour or so, pour all of you a virtual latte, and take questions. We have a blast together, so if you’re not on my Facebook Fan (Friend) Page, please join today. The group of friends there is growing every day and is very special to me. I consider that my “living room” where I can hang out with my closest reader friends.
I’d love to hear how God is using these books in your life. It’s all Him, and it always will be. He puts a story in my heart, but He has your face in mind. Only He could do that. If you post something on Facebook or my website it might help another reader. So please stop by.
Also on Facebook or my website you can check out my upcoming events and get to know other readers. You can hear about movies being made of my books and become part of a community that agrees there is life-changing power in something as simple as a story.
You can post prayer requests on my website or read those already posted and pray for those in need. You can send in a photo of your loved one serving our country, or let us know of a fallen soldier we can honor on our Fallen Heroes page.
My website also tells you about my ongoing contests, including “Shared a Book,” which encourages you to tell me when you’ve shared one of my books with someone. Each time you email me about this, you’re entered for the chance to spend a summer weekend with my family. In addition, everyone signed up for my monthly newsletter is automatically entered into an ongoing once-a-month drawing for a free, signed copy of my latest novel.
There are links on my website that will help you with matters that are important to you—faith and family, adoption, and ways to reach out to others. Of course, on my site you can also find out a little more about me, my faith and my family, and the wonderful world of Life-Changing Fiction™.
Another way to stay in touch is to follow me on Twitter. I give away books all the time on Twitter, and I’d love to see you there! It’s free and fun, and much less time-consuming than Facebook. (Even though I absolutely love Facebook!)
Finally, if you gave your life over to God during the reading of this book, or if you found your way back to a faith you’d let grow cold, send me a letter at [email protected] and write “New Life” in the subject line. I would encourage you to connect with a Bible-believing church in your area and get hold of a Bible. But if you can’t afford one and don’t already have one, write “Bible” in the subject line. Tell me how God used this book to change your life, and then include your address in your email. My wonderful publisher Zondervan has supplied me with free paperback copies of the New Testament, so that if you are financially unable to find a Bible any other way, I can send you one. I’ll pay for shipping.
One last thing: I’ve started a program where I will donate a book to any high school or middle school librarian who makes a request. Check out my website for details.
Again, thanks for journeying with me through the pages of this book. I can’t wait to hear your feedback on Unlocked! Until then, my friends, keep your eyes on the cross, and don’t forget to listen to the music.
In His light and love,
Karen Kingsbury
www.KarenKingsbury.com
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Do you know anyone on the autistic spectrum? Tell us about that person and what you have learned from them.
What did you learn about autism by reading Unlocked? Do you think Holden suffered with autism? Why or why not?
Holden’s father Dan left his family to work on a fishing boat in Alaska. Why do you think he did this? Explain about a time when you wanted to run from a situation.
Suzanne and Randy pulled away from the Harris family afte
r Holden’s diagnosis of autism. Have you seen a handicap or disorder separate friends before? Tell about that situation.
What did you learn from the friendship between Tracy and Suzanne?
Have you ever had a broken friendship? What caused the break, and what did you learn from the situation? Was there ever resolution?
Suzanne worked hard to keep up the appearance of being the wife of a professional athlete. Do you think there is more pressure to appear a certain way in today’s culture? Why or why not?
Michael Schwartz was a quiet kid who didn’t fit in the way the popular kids did. Do you know any kids like Michael in high school? Did you befriend them? Why or why not?
What did you learn from the character of Michael Schwartz?
Deuteronomy 30:19 tells us, “… I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” What does this mean to you? Do you think a life of faith would have helped Michael? Why or why not?
Do you know anyone who has ever been bullied? What did you do about the situation?
Why do you think kids bully other kids? What does this say about today’s youth?
Holden’s mother compared autism to a kidnapping, since she felt like her son had been stolen from her. What did you like about Tracy’s character? Have you ever lost someone you love? What helped you during that time?
Ella was first drawn to Holden because of his eyes. Luke 11:34 says that, “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light.” What does this mean to you? Tell about a time when you were drawn to someone because of the light in their eyes.
What did you learn about the character of Ella? How are you like her, or how would you hope to be like her?
Why did Ella struggle with her mother? Why is it important that we show compassion not only to the strangers in our lives, but also to the ones who live under the same roof as us? Give an example.
Manny Hopkins was a beleaguered drama teacher on his last chance at being a success. Explain the transformation that happened in his life because of Ella and Holden. Tell about a time when someone jaded was changed by the kindness of another person.
Holden found great significance in watching movies from his past. What old home movie scenes or special memories do you sometimes revisit to remember who you are? Talk about some examples.
Did Holden’s story give you hope for your own life or make you feel hopeful for someone you love? Did it affect your level of faith? Explain.
If you had to write the next chapter in Holden’s life, what would happen? What would you hope for people with autism in our culture today, and how can you help?
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
NO BOOK COMES TOGETHER WITHOUT A GREAT AND TALENTED team of people making it happen. For that reason, a special thanks to my friends at Zondervan who combined efforts with a number of people who were passionate about Life-Changing Fiction™ to make Unlocked all it could be. A special thanks to Moe Girkins—whose commitment to excellence at Zondervan is unparalleled, and to Steve Sammons and Don Gates, who may be two of the only execs in publishing who actually get the big picture of what we’re doing for the Kingdom. Also, of course, a special thanks to my dedicated and brilliant editor, Sue Brower, and to Alicia Mey, my marketing director. Thanks also to the creative teams and to the sales staff at Zondervan who work tirelessly to put this book in your hands.
Also, thanks to my amazing agent, Rick Christian, president of Alive Communications. Rick, you’ve always believed only the best for me. When we talk about the highest possible goals, you see them as doable, reachable. You are a brilliant manager of my career, and I thank God for you. But even with all you do for my ministry of writing, I am doubly grateful for your encouragement and prayers. Every time I finish a book, you send me a letter that deserves to be framed, and when something big happens, yours is the first call I receive. Thank you for that. But even more, the fact that you and Debbie are praying for me and my family keeps me confident every morning that God will continue to breathe life into the stories in my heart. Thank you for being so much more than a brilliant agent.
A special thank you to my husband, who puts up with me on deadline and doesn’t mind driving through Taco Bell after a football game if I’ve been editing all day. This wild ride wouldn’t be possible without you, Donald. Your love keeps me writing; your prayers keep me believing that God has a plan in this ministry of Life-Changing Fiction™. And thanks for the hours you put in working with the guestbook entries on my website. It’s a full-time job, and I am grateful for your concern for my reader friends. I look forward to that time every day when you read through them, sharing them with me and releasing them to the public, lifting up the prayer requests. Thank you, honey, and thanks to all my kids, who pull together, bringing me iced green tea and understanding my sometimes crazy schedule. I love that you know you’re still first, before any deadline.
Thank you also to my mom, Anne Kingsbury, and to my sisters, Tricia and Sue. Mom, you are amazing as my assistant—working day and night sorting through the mail from my readers. I appreciate you more than you’ll ever know. Traveling with you these past years for my Extraordinary Women events has given us times together we will always treasure.
Tricia, you are the best executive assistant I could ever hope to have. I treasure your loyalty and honesty, the way you include me in every decision and the daily exciting website changes. My site has been a different place since you stepped in, and the hits have grown a hundredfold. Along the way, the readers have so much more to help them in their faith, so much more than a story. Please know that I pray for God’s blessings on you always, for your dedication to helping me in this season of writing, and for your wonderful son, Andrew. And aren’t we having such a good time too? God works all things to the good!
Sue, I believe you should’ve been a counselor! From your home far from mine, you get batches of reader letters every day, and you diligently answer them using God’s wisdom and His Word. When readers get a response from “Karen’s sister Susan,” I hope they know how carefully you’ve prayed for them and for the responses you give. Thank you for truly loving what you do, Sue. You’re gifted with people, and I’m blessed to have you aboard.
A special thanks also to Tom McCorquodale. In this season of change, with you headed to college in California, just know that I will always be grateful for your marketing skills and ability to manage my events. You always understood the mission statement, “Do all things to love and serve our reader friends.” I pray that God blesses your time at school, and that you continue to grow into an amazing man of faith—like I know you will. God’s plans for you are unlimited!
And to Randy Graves, a very special thank you. Randy, you and your family have been a part of our family for more than a decade. You were a friend to my father and my brother, and you were a pall bearer when it came time to say good-bye to them. You understand the ministry of Life-Changing Fiction™ and now as my business manager and the executive director of my One Chance Foundation, you are an integral part of all we do. What a blessing to call you my friend and coworker. I pray that God always allows us to continue working together this way.
Also thanks to the newest member of our team—Peggy Rider. You have been a friend for many years, but now I feel God has brought us together for this season of working together. Your efforts in the Baxter Family Store show in every small detail. I appreciate that you care so deeply.
Thanks, too, goes to Olga Kalachik, my office assistant, who helps organize my supplies and storage areas, and who prepares our home for the marketing events and research gatherings that take place here on a regular basis. I appreciate all you’re doing to make sure I have time to write. You’re wonderful, Olga, and I pray God continues to bless you and your precious family.
And thanks to Will Montgomery for his watchful eye and careful attention to detail in the final editing stages of this book. Glad that we’re still friends, st
ill working to further His kingdom through the power of story.
I also want to thank my friends at Premier—Roy Morgan and your team, along with my friends at Extraordinary Women —Tim and Julie Clinton, Beth Cleveland, Charles Billingsley, Angela Thomas, Matthew West, Jeremy Camp, Chonda Pierce, and so many others. How wonderful to be a part of what God is doing through all of you. Thank you for including me in your family.
And thanks to my forever friends and family, the ones who have been there and continue to be there. Your love has been a tangible source of comfort, pulling us through the tough times and making us know how very blessed we are to have you in our lives.
The greatest thanks, as always, to God Almighty. You put a story in my heart, and have a million other hearts in mind —something I could never do. I’m grateful to be a small part of what you’re doing! The gift is yours. I pray I might use it for years to come in a way that will bring you honor and glory.
FOREVER IN FICTION
FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW, I’VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF offering Forever in Fiction™* as an auction item at fundraisers across the country. So many of my more recent books have had Forever in Fiction characters that I hear from you reader friends how you look forward to this part of my novels, reading this section to see which characters in the coming pages are actually inspired by real-life people, and learning a little about their real stories. Then you enjoy looking for them in the coming pages, knowing with a smile how it must feel to their families seeing their names Forever in Fiction.
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