Welcome to Nowhere - by Elizabeth Laird (Paperback)

About the Book

"Twelve-year-old Omar and his brothers and sister were born and raised in the beautiful and bustling city of Bosra, Syria. Omar doesn't care about politics - all her 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. But no matter how far they run, the shadow of war follows them - until they have no choice but to attempt the dangerous journey to escape their homeland altogether. But where do you go, when you cannot go home?"--

Book Synopsis

"A compassionate, heart-wrenching work that helps readers understand the profound losses people suffer during wartime. " Kirkus Reviews

From award-winning and beloved children's author Elizabeth Laird comes a stunning new edition of Welcome to Nowhere, with a cover illustration by Maria Brzozowska. A must-read book and a modern classic, this is a beautifully written story about the life of one family caught up in civil war.

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 introduction by Elizabeth Laird
- Extra content from the author, including reading group questions

"Personal dynamics amid steadily deteriorating conditions, especially the thorny yet loving sibling relations, are strongly depicted." Publishers Weekly

Review Quotes

"[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

About the Author

Elizabeth Laird is the multi-award-winning author of many much-loved children's books, including The Garbage King, The Prince Who Walked with Lions, The Fastest Boy in the World and Welcome to Nowhere. She has been shortlisted for the prestigious CILIP Carnegie Medal six times. She lives in Britain now, but still likes to travel as much as she can.