Northern Illinois University has announced they will be using Brian R. Smith's book Losing Innocence in the Fall semester of their English Literature class ENGL 110.9. ENGL 110.9 Course Description: Close reading for the appreciation of fiction as an embodiment of human and cultural values. In November, Mr. Smith, spoke the NIU students on the art of writing captivating fiction and about his book Losing Innocence. He also gave the entire class a free copy of The Bastard's Plaything and signed both Losing Innocence and The Bastard's Plaything..