Lost Boys Read online

  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