I’ve always been interested in the journey we take from the religious ideas and practices of our parents to owning our own beliefs. For boys like Reza, this coming-of-age experience was tangled with war. I tried to do justice to their story.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As described in the Author’s Note, I couldn’t have written this book without the help of several generous people with firsthand experience. I could also fill pages thanking Lin Oliver and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Lin critiqued this story in its infancy and declared herself its godmother. She has been true to that title, offering support and sage advice. Over the years SCBWI has schooled me in the art and craft of writing through its wonderful conferences and online support. In 2014 I was lucky enough to be awarded an SCBWI Work-in-Progress grant that brought this manuscript some critical attention. Just as important, through SCBWI I’ve found an incredibly supportive writing community. There are not enough pages here for me to name you all, but please know you are loved—particularly the wild YAMS crew and the Better Books Marin alumni. Even a thesaurus couldn’t provide the words to describe the gratitude and love I have for my longtime critique group—M’Ladies of the Book—Alison Berka, Amanda Conran, Lisa Schulman, and Elizabeth Shreeve. Likewise for our newest member Shannon Ledger, best beta reader and friend a girl could have. Also thanks to our local bookstore—our second home—Book Passage in Corte Madera, California.
This book and my writing were made better by Emma Dryden’s red pen and warm friendship. The book would truly not be in your hands without my extraordinary agent, Erin Murphy. Erin’s love of children’s lit and the magical gang she gathers around her make the world a better place. Erin brought me to the wise and clever Sally Doherty. Sally, Christian Trimmer, Rachel Murray, and all the fabulous folk at Henry Holt believed in this story that others had not quite known what to do with. A special shout-out to Rich Deas, who created the beautiful cover.
Huge thanks to my magnificent and far-flung family—siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles. All have supported me since day one. Particular thanks to Dad (my earliest and dearest editor), Mom, Eli, Amanda, Mindy, and Evelyn, who all read first drafts and remembered my characters as if they were friends. My nephew Ben Joseph has lived for music since the day he was born, and he helped me understand what mattered to Reza. Finally, to David and Martha—I am so much better because of you and thank my lucky stars every single day that you are my galaxy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darcey Rosenblatt is a cofounder of the Better Books Workshop for middle grade and young adult writers, and she loves dancing and painting. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, daughter, a great dog, and some tropical fish. This is her first novel. You can sign up for email updates here.
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Copyright
Copyright © 2017 by Darcey Rosenblatt
Henry Holt and Company, Publishers since 1866
Henry Holt® is a registered trademark of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
mackids.com
All rights reserved.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Rosenblatt, Darcey, author.
Title: Lost boys / Darcey Rosenblatt.
Description: First edition. | New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2017. | Summary: In 1982 Iran, twelve-year-old Reza is more interested in music than war, but enlists in obedience to his devout mother and soon finds himself in a prison camp in Iraq.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017017966 (print) | LCCN 2016038379 (ebook) | ISBN 9781627797597 (Ebook) | ISBN 9781627797580 (hardback)
Subjects: LCSH: Iran-Iraq War, 1980–1988—Juvenile fiction. | CYAC: Iran-Iraq War, 1980–1988—Fiction. | Muslims—Iran—Fiction. | Soldiers—Fiction. | Dissent—Fiction. | Prisoners of war—Fiction. | Iran—History—1979–1997—Fiction. | BISAC: JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Middle East. | JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Military & Wars. | JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Middle East.
Classification: LCC PZ7.1.R6724 (print) | LCC PZ7.1.R6724 Key 2017 (ebook) | DDC [Fic]—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017017966
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First hardcover edition 2017
eBook edition August 2017
eISBN 9781627797597
Lost Boys Page 18
