L. E. Allen

A true story for young readers

Out of the Shadows: A Boy's Journey

by L. E. Allen

Larry is legally blind and finds it hard to make friends. Then one summer, a group of boys invites him along. This is the true story of how friendship, courage, and hope led him out of the shadows.

Buy the paperback on Amazon, $9.99 Kindle edition, $3.99

Ages 7 to 13. A fit for classrooms, libraries, and family reading.

Painting of five boys riding bicycles down a dirt farm road. Larry, in the middle, wears dark glasses and a plaid shirt.
  • Reading age7 to 13 years
  • Length51 pages
  • FormatsPaperback, Kindle

Inside the story

Larry is legally blind, and making friends does not come easily. He often feels left out of the games the other boys play. Then one summer a group of friends invites him along, and that summer changes his life.

The book follows Larry through hard days and hopeful ones, with the friends beside him. It is a true story, and Larry grew up to write it himself.

Painting of two pairs of glasses lying in a field of dandelions in front of a farmhouse, one pair dark and one clear.
Two pairs of glasses. Two very different chapters of one boy's life.

For parents, teachers, and librarians

Out of the Shadows gives children a real story to talk about. It works as a bedtime read, a classroom read-aloud, or a book a young reader finishes alone and then wants to discuss.

Themes in the book:

  • Inclusion and kindness
  • Friendship
  • Growing up with a visual impairment
  • Seeing people for who they are

Questions to talk about after reading

  1. Why did Larry feel left out? What would you have wanted someone to say to him?
  2. What did Larry's friends do that made a difference?
  3. Has someone ever invited you in when you felt left out? How did that feel?
  4. Who in your class or neighborhood could use an invitation this week?

What readers are saying

“A beautiful true story with an important message.”Carolyn, Amazon review
“Every child should read this!”Janemarie, Amazon review

Read the reviews on Amazon

About the author

Lawrence Allen writes as L. E. Allen. He was born legally blind and has spent his life overcoming challenges with courage, determination, and hope. Rather than letting difficult experiences define him, he has chosen to turn them into valuable lessons he can share with others.

Lawrence has been happily married to his wife, Jane, since 1974. Together, they have two children, Eric and Angela, and five grandsons.

He coaches and teaches at his local school, where he enjoys working with students of all ages. By sharing the lessons he has learned throughout his life, Lawrence hopes to encourage young people to believe in themselves, overcome obstacles, and never give up on their dreams.

Out of the Shadows is his first book, and more are on the way.

Schools, churches, and libraries

Out of the Shadows is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle (ISBN-13 979-8176407648). To ask about classroom sets, church groups, signed copies, or an interview, send a message.