“When you paired up me and Hector”—I start to ask—“Was that on purpose?”
“Here’s what I’ll say,” she answers. “A lot of times, life works itself out. The people you meet, the friends you make, the things you do. But sometimes, I think, people need a little push in the right direction.” She shrugs and smiles. “Does that answer your question?”
“Yeah,” I say. “Yeah.”
I’m about out the door when I turn back around again. “Hey, Ms. Arnold—”
She looks up from her papers.
“Remember that book you told me about? With the frizzy-haired girl on the front? Do you think maybe I could read it now?”
She opens her top desk drawer and pulls out the book. “It’s been waiting for you.”
I add it to the top of my stack of books. Anastasia stares back at me. “Thanks. And this is going to sound kind of random. But do you have a book about these kids who live in a museum? In New York?”
Ms. Arnold claps. “Yes! I know just the one.” She walks over to the tall colorful bookcases that line the wall. She runs her finger along a middle shelf. “Here it is. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. You’ll love it. One of my favorites.”
I’m reading before I’m even out the door. I start at the beginning.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Things That Surprise You, in part, was inspired by my younger sister’s years-long struggle with an eating disorder. While her own story is not mine to tell, I felt I could give voice to the guilt, sadness, and various difficulties families face when someone they love is struggling.
Eating disorders, like anorexia and bulimia, are serious and can be life threatening. If you or someone you know is struggling with disordered eating or experiencing the signs and symptoms of an eating disorder, I encourage you to reach out. Please talk to your parent or guardian, a trusted teacher, or a school counselor. They can direct you to the professional help and intervention you or your loved one needs. It can be scary, but it is so important that you not keep it to yourself. Know that you can get help. I’ve listed some general resources below.
The road to recovery can be long and difficult, but there is hope—for the individuals affected and for those who love them.
KidsHealth:
http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/eatdisorder.html#
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders:
www.anad.org
National Eating Disorders Association:
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
National Institute of Mental Health:
www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I think it will surprise no one that writing a book and sending it out into the world takes the work and support of a lot of wonderful people.
A big thank-you to my agent, Victoria Marini; to my editor, Alessandra Balzer, who helps me discover the magic in every story; to Kelsey Murphy and the rest of the awesome team at Balzer + Bray; and to Kathrin Honesta for illustrating one of the loveliest covers I’ve ever seen.
Thanks also go out to Corey Ann Haydu, Melissa Baumgart, the Grou, and all of my middle grade writer friends.
I’m so grateful, also, to the students and staff of St. Brigid of Kildare School. You welcomed me first as a teacher and then as an author. Thank you!
My appreciation also goes out to Dr. Kathryn Leugers who offered her professional opinion on this manuscript. Any mistakes or inaccuracies are mine alone.
Thank you to Kurt for your love and support, and for running out to get me large bags of peanut butter M&M’S on those deadline weeks; to Hank and Ollie—steadfast writing companions; and to my family.
Finally, I’m hugely thankful for the readers, teachers, librarians, and booksellers who have shown me and my books such kindness.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo by Monty Soungpradith
JENNIFER MASCHARI is a middle school teacher and the author of The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price. She lives in Ohio with her husband and her stinky (but noble) English bulldogs, Oliver and Hank. Learn more about Jennifer at www.jenmaschari.com.
Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.
CREDITS
Cover art by Kathrin Honesta
Cover design by Katie Fitch
COPYRIGHT
Balzer + Bray is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
THINGS THAT SURPRISE YOU. Text copyright © 2017 by Jennifer Maschari. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
www.harpercollinschildrens.com
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ISBN 978-0-06-243892-8
EPub Edition © August 2017 ISBN 9780062438942
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FIRST EDITION
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