Upstander by James Preller (free ereaders .TXT) 📕

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

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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]

7. [Pic]

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

Our eBooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945 ext. 5442 or by email at [email protected].

First hardcover edition 2021

eBook edition 2021

eISBN 9781250251541