The Invisible Boy
Page 18
Human trafficking is scary. But we all have our own Smallville, Metropolis, or Gotham—places we know better than anyone else. Maybe you can enter a garden no one else thinks exists. Maybe you go to school with a kid no one else seems to notice. Maybe you listen to conversations no one else seems to hear.
Seek the truth, and you’ll uncover your own superpower.
You’ll be able to see.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book, y’all. This book. Where do I even begin?
Kate and Fliss, my intrepid editors: Thank you for always believing I could pull it off, even when I wasn’t so sure. Thank you for pushing me to do my best. Amber, my super literary agent: Thank you for the many pep talks and encouraging words when I was a puddle of doubt. This book would absolutely, positively not exist without the three of you.
Thank you to Deborah Lee for her wonderful cover and illustrations. I’ll be staring at this art for a long time to come!
To my early readers: Amelia Todd, Anna Gibson, Jenny Smith, and many more. Thank you for bringing your expertise to the pages!
Lora Innes, who first introduced me to the phrase human trafficking and to Love146: Thank you for using your unique gifts to enter the conversation. Bet you didn’t realize you’d be pulling me in, too.
The Thomson Reuters Foundation and Trust Conference: Your work is truly an inspiration. My deep gratitude especially to these speakers, who redefined my understanding of so much: Deependra Giri, Evelyn Chumbow, Kailash Satyarthi, Chaker Khazaal, and Monique Villa. To Jennifer Kempton, who I spoke to about this project days before the end, and who will always remind me that trauma doesn’t disappear when you’re freed.
To the Virginia Beach Justice Initiative: Your advocacy class was one of the most challenging and growing experiences of my life. I am in awe of the work you do on local, state, and national levels. God bless you and your girls.
To Paddle Boy: You probably don’t even know that’s your name, but if you were a preteen boy living on Wakefield Street in 2002–2003 and you once wandered into someone’s yard and smashed their canoe paddle on a tree and then ran in the other direction when the father of the house came out to chase you down, I am still waiting for my replacement paddle. Feel free to get in touch via my publicist.
To my friends and family (notable exception: Paddle Boy): There are too many of you to name, but you know who you are. Thanks for celebrating the highs and patiently patting me through the angst. Especially Mom, who probably had more than her fair share of counseling me through the rough patches.
And to the one who sees every face, every tear, every smile: Christ Jesus. Teach me to leave no one invisible.
Also by Alyssa Hollingsworth
The Eleventh Trade
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Alyssa Hollingsworth was born in small town Pensacola, Florida, but life as a roving military kid soon mellowed her (unintelligibly strong) Southern accent. Wanderlust is in her blood, and she’s always waiting for the wind to change. Stories remain her constant.
Alyssa is the author of The Eleventh Trade. You can sign up for email updates here.
Deborah Lee was born in Seoul, South Korea, and raised in New Jersey and Alabama. She always loved to draw, and currently works as a product designer and illustrator. Deb lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
She is the illustrator of Alyssa Hollingsworth’s The Invisible Boy. You can sign up for email updates here.
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter 1. Girl Reporter Uncovers Scoop of the Century
Chapter 2. Hero Remains Elusive
Chapter 3. Public Debriefed
Chapter 4. Investigation Ongoing
Chapter 5. The Search Continues
Chapter 6. Secrets Spread to New Territories
Chapter 7. Girl Reporter Saves Day, Not Date
Chapter 8. How to Catch a Superhero
Chapter 9. The Caring and Keeping of Veterans
Chapter 10. Questions Unanswered
Chapter 11. Uninvited Guest Crashes Party
Chapter 12. Storms in the Forecast
Chapter 13. How (Not) to Go Viral
Chapter 14. Citizens Powerless Against Mortification
Chapter 15. Museum Trip Exposes Modern MYTHS
Chapter 16. Kryptonite and Other Ways to Kill a Superhero
Chapter 17. Authorities Arrive On Scene
Chapter 18. Girl Cries Wolf
Chapter 19. Area Woman Hunts Heroes
Chapter 20. Lightning Lane vs. Storm
Chapter 21. A New Day in Washington
Chapter 22. The Truth
Chapter 23. The Extraordinary Secret of Superheroes
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
Also by Alyssa Hollingsworth
About the Authors
Copyright
Text copyright © 2020 by Alyssa Hollingsworth
Illustrations copyright © 2020 by Deborah Lee
Published by Roaring Brook Press
Roaring Brook Press is a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership
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eISBN 9781250155733
First hardcover edition, 2020
eBook edition, June 2020