Welcome to Nowhere
Elizabeth Laird
From award-winning and beloved children's author Elizabeth Laird comes a stunning edition of Welcome to Nowhere, with a cover illustration by Maria Brzozowska, an updated author letter and additional content from the author, including discussion notes. A must-read modern classic, this is a beautifully written story about the life of one family caught up in civil war, illustrated throughout in black-and-white by Lucy Eldridge.
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?
This edition includes brilliant extra material, such as:
- An author letter by Elizabeth Laird
- Extra content from the author, including reading group questions
Product Details
About Elizabeth Laird
Reviews for Welcome to Nowhere
Guardian
[H]umane and empathetic . . . Not only eye-opening, important and topical, but a vivid, emotionally involving, nail-biting read . . .an effective call to action.
Nicolette Jones
The Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week
A muscular, moving, thought-provoking book from an award-winning writer
Imogen Russell Williams
Guardian
[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
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.
Alex O'Connell
The Times Children's Book of the Week
This powerful, dramatic story, poignantly illustrates how war affects ordinary people
Bookseller
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
A poignant, special book which is beautifully written. Essential reading.
ReadingZone
Powerful, heart-breaking and compelling
The Scotsman