Nowhere Boy

By: Katherine Marsh

Location: FIC MAR

Genre: Refugees, Realistic Fiction, Historical 

"...Compassion, hope, prejudice, friendship, the refugee experience, following conscience over law...there's a ton to discuss with readers."

Fourteen-year-old Ahmed is stuck in a city that wants nothing to do with him. Newly arrived in Brussels, Belgium, Ahmed fled a life of uncertainty and suffering in Aleppo, Syria, only to lose his father on the perilous journey to the shores of Europe. Now Ahmed’s struggling to get by on his own, but with no one left to trust and nowhere to go, he’s starting to lose hope.

Then he meets Max, a thirteen-year-old American boy from Washington, D.C. Lonely and homesick, Max is struggling at his new school and just can’t seem to do anything right. But with one startling discovery, Max and Ahmed’s lives collide and a friendship begins to grow. Together, Max and Ahmed will defy the odds, learning from each other what it means to be brave and how hope can change your destiny.

Set against the backdrop of the Syrian refugee crisis, award-winning author of Jepp, Who Defied the Stars Katherine Marsh delivers a gripping, heartwarming story of resilience, friendship and everyday heroes. Barbara O'Connor, author of Wish and Wonderland, says "Move Nowhere Boy to the top of your to-be-read pile immediately."

review by Flemiji

Wow! I am just floored by this book. I read a lot about refugees and teach a unit on the current crisis to my middleschoolers, but this book is something wholly different. In the first half, I was so absorbed by the beautiful story of Max and his budding friendship with Ahmed. In the second half, I was wiping away tears and trying not to rush too fast to find out what happens to not just them, but their friends and families as well.

This book also brings the other side of the refugee crisis to light. How does a community absorb an increasingly desperate group of people? How can we help save as many fleeing families as possible and keep everyone safe from terrorism? What can we do to help both new and old residents of a place feel like they belong as demographics change so rapidly?

The historical background, coupled with recent events also makes it hard to put down. The historical background, coupled with recent events also makes it hard to put down. This is genuinely one I can't wait to share with my reading friends and students!