DISCUSSION Q QUESTIONS.
1. Do you know anyone on the autistic spectrum? Tell us about that person and what you have learned from them.
2. What did you learn about autism by reading Unlocked? Unlocked? Do you think Holden suffered with autism? Why or why not? Do you think Holden suffered with autism? Why or why not?
3. 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.
4. Suzanne and Randy pulled away from the Harris family after Holden"s diagnosis of autism. Have you seen a handicap or disorder separate friends before? Tell about that situation.
5. What did you learn from the friendship between Tracy and Suzanne?
6. Have you ever had a broken friendship? What caused the break, and what did you learn from the situation? Was there ever resolution?
7. 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?
8. 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?
9. What did you learn from the character of Michael Schwartz?
10. 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?
11. Do you know anyone who has ever been bullied? What did you do about the situation?
12. Why do you think kids bully other kids? What does this say about today"s youth?
13. 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?
14. 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.
15. What did you learn about the character of Ella? How are you like her, or how would you hope to be like her?
16. Why did Ella struggle with her mother? Why is it important that we show compa.s.sion not only to the strangers in our lives, but also to the ones who live under the same roof as us? Give an example.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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 pa.s.sionate about Life-Changing Fiction to make 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 pa.s.sionate about Life-Changing Fiction to make Unlocked 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. 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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d 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 a.s.sistant-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 a.s.sistant 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 G.o.d"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? G.o.d 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 G.o.d"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 G.o.d blesses your time at school, and that you continue to grow into an amazing man of faith-like I know you will. G.o.d"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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d 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 a.s.sistant, 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 G.o.d 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, still 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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d 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 F FICTION.
FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW, I"VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF offering Forever in Fiction 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. 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.
For those of you who are not familiar with Forever in Fiction, it is my way of involving you, the readers, in my stories, while raising money for charities. The winning bidder of a Forever in Fiction package has the right to have their name or the name of someone they love written into one of my novels. In this way they or their loved one will be forever in fiction. To date, Forever in Fiction has raised more than two hundred thousand dollars at charity auctions. Obviously, I am only able to donate a limited number of these each year. For that reason, I have set a fairly high minimum bid on this package so that the maximum funds are raised for charities. All money goes to the charity events.
In Unlocked, Unlocked, I bring you a very special Forever in Fiction character. That character is precious little Kate McRae, a six-year-old Arizona girl who has battled brain cancer for more than a year. Kate is the blue-eyed, blonde-haired daughter of Aaron and Holly McRae-a young pastor and his wife. The McRae family has two other children -Olivia, seven, and Will, four. Life as this family knew it changed dramatically the summer day in 2009 when they noticed a tremor in Kate"s hand. A simple trip to the doctor led to a myriad of tests and the diagnosis that would rock any family. Kate had an aggressive form of brain cancer. I bring you a very special Forever in Fiction character. That character is precious little Kate McRae, a six-year-old Arizona girl who has battled brain cancer for more than a year. Kate is the blue-eyed, blonde-haired daughter of Aaron and Holly McRae-a young pastor and his wife. The McRae family has two other children -Olivia, seven, and Will, four. Life as this family knew it changed dramatically the summer day in 2009 when they noticed a tremor in Kate"s hand. A simple trip to the doctor led to a myriad of tests and the diagnosis that would rock any family. Kate had an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Treatment for Kate has been both risky and uncertain. More than that, it is terribly expensive. Since Kate"s mother, Holly, is one of my reader friends, I decided to do something new with Forever in Fiction. I figured we could make Kate a character in one of my books as long as enough people would come alongside me and donate at least one hundred dollars to the Kate McRae Fund. In return, I would list the names of Kate"s special supporters here, in the acknowledgments of my book.
We opened up a two-month window, and during that time my hopes were wildly exceeded by your tremendous generosity. Nothing can ease the pain of cancer for a family like the McRaes. But your financial help and your tireless prayers have made it possible to withstand the storm. As I write this, Kate has finished her chemotherapy treatments and a bone-marrow transplant, along with radiation, after more than a year of almost constant time at Phoenix Children"s Hospital. For now, her family, my family, and many of you must pray and wait and believe for G.o.d"s miraculous touch on her life. I"ve followed Kate along with you through her Caring Bridge site. Her mom has done a beautiful job detailing their very difficult and painful journey in a way that glorifies G.o.d at every turn.
Kate is a vibrant, gregarious little girl who loves to sing along with Hannah Montana and run around the house with her siblings. She is crazy about her goldendoodle, Patrick, and SpongeBob Square Pants and jumping on her hospital bed when the chemo and medications don"t leave her flat on her back. "I"m a dangerous girl, Mommy," she"s been known to say. And so she is. Never once has she considered anything but fighting the battle ahead of her. Even in the darkest times, her eyes provide anyone near her a window to a most precious soul.
In Unlocked Unlocked Kate will play the sweet-natured, always believing young cousin of Holden Harris. In the book, her fict.i.tious parents are both stationed in Iraq, serving our country. During that time, she lives with Holden"s family and provides insight that can only come from a child like Kate. She is integral to Holden"s world and the innocence that lies inside him. Kate will play the sweet-natured, always believing young cousin of Holden Harris. In the book, her fict.i.tious parents are both stationed in Iraq, serving our country. During that time, she lives with Holden"s family and provides insight that can only come from a child like Kate. She is integral to Holden"s world and the innocence that lies inside him.
I know Kate will be honored when she understands her place here in this special book, and I hope her family will always see a little bit of their precious Kate here in the pages of Unlocked, Unlocked, where she will remain Forever in Fiction. where she will remain Forever in Fiction.
Now a special thanks to the many reader friends and friends of Kate McRae who helped put her Forever in Fiction. Each of the following people donated one hundred dollars or more to the medical costs incurred by the McRae family. These special friends of Kate"s include the following:
Danielle Abraham Thomas and Olivia Bernards Thomas and Olivia Bernards Sarah and Jennifer Ackley Madeline Biddle Madeline Biddle BailyApostol Melissa Bircher Melissa Bircher Tally Atkinson, In Memory of Anthony and Lori Bitts Anthony and Lori Bitts Marcy Knight Babc.o.c.k Mike Bitzer Mike Bitzer Beth Backus Keith and Kathy Blum Keith and Kathy Blum Brandon Scott Bailey Douglas and Lynn Bohlen Douglas and Lynn Bohlen Quint and Robin Barefoot Manny and Sunghee Bote Manny and Sunghee Bote John R. and Marilyn R Baxter Lynne Bottom Lynne Bottom Beau, Mich.e.l.le, Dylan, and Jack Papa Brian and Grandma Shirlee Papa Brian and Grandma Shirlee Beecher Bouck Bouck Alison Behan Stephanie Bouck Stephanie Bouck Cheri Beltramo Red and Margaret Boyles Red and Margaret Boyles Marilena Benko Rebecca Brammer Rebecca Brammer Rod Benson Kathleen Brockhaus Kathleen Brockhaus Cheryl Bernai Thomas Brouster Thomas Brouster Robert Brown Mary Friesen Mary Friesen Ava Nicole Buck Virginia Friesenhahn Virginia Friesenhahn Parti Budinger Sarah Gadol Sarah Gadol Mikel Bullis Maxine Garon Maxine Garon Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Burke Laura Garrison Laura Garrison Kim Cain Peter and Patricia Garvy Peter and Patricia Garvy Logan and Tuesday Calderwood Jerry and Maria Ga.s.s Jerry and Maria Ga.s.s Anthony and June Kim Castellano Samantha Ga.s.s Samantha Ga.s.s Elizabeth Caven Alisha Lynn Gatchel Alisha Lynn Gatchel Centennial Elementary PTO Drew Phineaus Gatchel Drew Phineaus Gatchel Jerry Christopherson Melissa Geiger Melissa Geiger "Chuck"
Fin Gold Fin Gold Jessie Collins Golden Stevedoring Co. Golden Stevedoring Co.
Michael J Conte Carolyn Goldhaber. Carolyn Goldhaber.
Sharleen Copp Larry Gott Larry Gott Kalli Corwin Mary Gray Mary Gray Robert J. and Lori A. Cramer Dara Griffin Dara Griffin Denise Cruce Evelyn Grace Griffin Evelyn Grace Griffin Audree Davidson, In Memory Karen Hinton Guest, In Memory Karen Hinton Guest, In Memory of Clint Davis of Jean Walker Hahn, In of Jean Walker Hahn, In Shirley B. Delp Memory of Kenneth Walker Memory of Kenneth Walker Alexa DenHerder Hahn Hahn Matthew and Jenny Derr Sheilah Hanes Sheilah Hanes Gwendolyn DeVaughn Kevin and Lorna Harberts Kevin and Lorna Harberts Freida Marie Doebler Eddie Harlan Eddie Harlan Jessica Dunlap David Harnisch David Harnisch Kayla s...o...b.. Dutra Clarice Hartel Clarice Hartel Cole and Caden Dykstra Libby Hedrick Libby Hedrick Steve and Julie Dykstra Pauline Hewitt Pauline Hewitt Donna Efhan Lisa Brigman Hicks Lisa Brigman Hicks Nadine Evans Darrell and Verona Highsmith Darrell and Verona Highsmith Lynn Fallon Mich.e.l.le Hoffman Mich.e.l.le Hoffman Sherry Fishbeck Bryan and Emma Hollis Bryan and Emma Hollis Tammy Flora, In Memory of Teri Honaker Teri Honaker Joseph Andrew Fox III Matt and Jenny Horn Matt and Jenny Horn Daisy Marie Howard Kirk McConnell Kirk McConnell Colleen Howard Sharon McKinney Sharon McKinney Denise Huett Grandpa Tom and Grandma Grandpa Tom and Grandma Steve and Maggie Hull Teresa McRae Teresa McRae Steve Hulsman Olivia, Will, and Patrick McRae Olivia, Will, and Patrick McRae Jack Tucker Hunt Karen Melton Karen Melton Sherry Hunt Braden, Ethan, and Nolan Metz Braden, Ethan, and Nolan Metz Sherry and Woody Hunt Deanna Miles Deanna Miles DeAnn Issac Charles H. and Alma W Miller Charles H. and Alma W Miller Jennifer Jacksits Kimberly Mitcham Kimberly Mitcham Chywan and Sonya Jackson Mobile Christian School 5th Mobile Christian School 5th Jennifer Janzen Grade Grade Brent Johnson Bobbie Jean Moore Bobbie Jean Moore Marsh.e.l.la Johnson Whitney Morton Whitney Morton Peggy Johnson Jeanne Mosley Jeanne Mosley Jesi Jury Christine Munn Christine Munn Ryan Jeffrey Kees Dr. Charles and Karon Murray Dr. Charles and Karon Murray William and Linda Kelchner Reid and Aubrey Muscat Reid and Aubrey Muscat Linda Kim Debi Neale Debi Neale Robert and Louise Krough Abby Horrell Neinast Abby Horrell Neinast Ashlyn E. Kullen Anne Newborn Anne Newborn Lynne Kullen Kirk and Joan Ney Kirk and Joan Ney Victor LaBarbera Ginny Nixon Ginny Nixon Ann Larson Susan O"Farrell Susan O"Farrell Barb Latt Cynthia Odum Cynthia Odum Sherry Lawson Taylor Ogle Taylor Ogle Grace Lee Abby Oldham Abby Oldham Lindsay Lorraine Leavengood Charles D. Osborn Charles D. Osborn Lenhoff Elisa Ostropolec Elisa Ostropolec Sarah Levine Jane Owens Jane Owens Angie Lien James and Tracy Patterson James and Tracy Patterson Pat Lucas Marcia Pecora Marcia Pecora Dolores Lyon Ryan and Lynelle Peugh Ryan and Lynelle Peugh Albert Mallekovic Phyllis Podhajsky Phyllis Podhajsky Lori Marquette Stephanie Poteet Stephanie Poteet AJ and Annabelle Price Leslie Styler Leslie Styler Sandi (Carlson) Rasanen The Sloc.u.m Family The Sloc.u.m Family Linda Wirch Reed, In Memory James W. Thomas James W. Thomas of Ramey Alana Reeves Bethany Thompson Bethany Thompson Lisa Reinholt Esther C. Thomson Esther C. Thomson Joyce Reneman Mark, Mich.e.l.le, and Marcos Mark, Mich.e.l.le, and Marcos Ray Renner Tiderman Tiderman Jody Ritchey Stacy Fisher Timmons Stacy Fisher Timmons Sharon Robbins Lynn Todd Lynn Todd Keith and Janell Roorbach Michele Trumble Michele Trumble Sharon Rose Kylee Tudor Kylee Tudor Marjorie Schlecht Douglas and Julie Valentine Douglas and Julie Valentine Janet Scott Jeremiah and Jessica Van d.y.k.e Jeremiah and Jessica Van d.y.k.e Kerry Ann Scott Vicki Vaughn Vicki Vaughn Sharon Scott Jim and Donna Waggoner Jim and Donna Waggoner Jan Scott Gina Wallach, In Memory Gina Wallach, In Memory Great Grandma Betty Sell of Shawn Matthew Walsh of Shawn Matthew Walsh Mike and Karen Shaw Tina Marie Warpool Tina Marie Warpool Tim and Amber Sheeley, Linda Kimberly Weber, In Memory Kimberly Weber, In Memory Sheffield of Debbie Weeks of Debbie Weeks Mary Shiple Merle and Barb Wickman Merle and Barb Wickman Terry and Kriya Shortt Jodi Wierenga Jodi Wierenga Jacki Simonds, In Memory Judith Wilc.o.x Judith Wilc.o.x of Rois Rosemary Skeates Elaine Wilson Elaine Wilson Mary Claire Sladko Nathan Wochner Nathan Wochner Jeff and Tammy Smith KimWolffis KimWolffis Pamela Smith Lisa Woodley Lisa Woodley Suzane Smith Melissa Woodruff Melissa Woodruff Kristin Kay Smith Cindy Workman Cindy Workman Kerry Smither.
Lynda S. Young Lynda S. Young Tammy Souza-Fairley The Staff at CaringBridge The Staff at CaringBridge Gerrie Springston The Staff at Women"s& Children"s The Staff at Women"s& Children"s Holland Stanley Unit at Thomasville Medical Unit at Thomasville Medical Alexis Stevenson Center Center
*Forever in Fiction is a registered trademark owned by Karen Kingsbury.
WHAT R READERS A ARE.
SAYING ABOUT K KAREN.
KINGSBURY"S B BOOKS
Karen"s book Oceans Apart Oceans Apart changed my life. She has an amazing gift of bringing a reader into her stories. I can only pray she never stops writing. changed my life. She has an amazing gift of bringing a reader into her stories. I can only pray she never stops writing.
Susan L.
Everyone should have the opportunity to read or listen to a book by Karen Kingsbury. It should be in the Bill of Rights. Bill of Rights.
Rachel S.
I want to thank Karen Kingsbury for what she is doing with the power of her storytelling-touching hearts like mine and letting G.o.d use her to change the world for Him.
Brittney N.
Karen Kingsbury"s books are filled with the unshakable, remarkable, miraculous fact that G.o.d"s grace is greater than our suffering. There are no words for Ms. Kingsbury"s writing.
Wendie K.
Because I loaned these books to my mother, she BECAME a Christian! Thank you for a richer life here and in heaven!
Jennifer E.
When I read my first Karen Kingsbury book, I couldn"t stop. ... I read thirteen more in one summer!
Jamie B.
I have never read anything so uplifting and entertaining. I"m shocked as I read each new release because it"s always better than the last one.
Bonnie S.
I am unable to put your books down, and I plan to read many more of them. What a wonderful spiritual message I find in each one!
Rhonda T.
I love the way Karen Kingsbury writes, and the topics she chooses to write about! Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us, your readers!
Barbara S.
My husband is equally hooked on your books. It is a family affair for us now! Can"t wait for the next one.
Angie
I can"t even begin to tell you what your books mean to me.... Thank you for your wonderful books and the way they touch my life again and again.
Martje L.