Welcome to Nowhere
Twelve-year-old Omar and his brothers and sisters were born and raised in the beautiful and bustling city of Bosra, Syria. Omar doesn't care about politics—all he wants is to grow up to become a successful businessman who will take the world by storm. But when his clever older brother, Musa, gets mixed up with some young political activists, everything changes. Before long, bombs are falling, people are dying, and Omar and his family have no choice but to flee their home with only what they can carry. Yet no matter how far they run, the shadow of war follows them—until they have no other choice than to attempt the dangerous journey to escape their homeland altogether. But where do you go when you can't go home?
Reviews
"A muscular, moving, thought-provoking book from an award-winning writer." —Guardian
"An important story for our time." —Scottish Book Trust
"Not only does it explain how the war in Syria began in as clear a way as I have ever heard but [Elizabeth Laird] makes her characters lovable, loathable—and believable. They are children of war but not defined by it . . . fascinating and sing[s] with truth." —Times Children's Book of the Week
"This powerful, dramatic story, poignantly illustrates how war affects ordinary people." —Bookseller
"Powerful, heart-breaking and compelling." —Scotsman
"[I]n bringing the fate of the victims of the Syrian conflict to life for young readers, both to inform and encourage sympathy and understanding, it is much to be admired." —Books for Keeps
"Deeply moving . . . you can always count on Elizabeth Laird to write fearlessly but with compassion and this story will give readers plenty to think about." —Bookbag
"An important story for our time." —Scottish Book Trust
"Not only does it explain how the war in Syria began in as clear a way as I have ever heard but [Elizabeth Laird] makes her characters lovable, loathable—and believable. They are children of war but not defined by it . . . fascinating and sing[s] with truth." —Times Children's Book of the Week
"This powerful, dramatic story, poignantly illustrates how war affects ordinary people." —Bookseller
"Powerful, heart-breaking and compelling." —Scotsman
"[I]n bringing the fate of the victims of the Syrian conflict to life for young readers, both to inform and encourage sympathy and understanding, it is much to be admired." —Books for Keeps
"Deeply moving . . . you can always count on Elizabeth Laird to write fearlessly but with compassion and this story will give readers plenty to think about." —Bookbag
About the Author
Elizabeth Laird is the multi-award-winning author of Kiss the Dust, A Little Piece of Ground, and Jake's Tower. She has been shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal six times.
