Nowhere Boy

Nowhere Boy by Katherine Marsh

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

Then he meets Max, a thirteen-year-old American boy. Lonely and homesick, Max is having trouble 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, Ahmed and Max will defy the odds, learning from each other what it means to be brave and how hope can change your destiny.

The Good

Max is a great example of a devoted friend. He helps Ahmed without worrying about himself. He doesn’t give Ahmed away and protects him with beautiful loyalty. The policemen aren’t shown from a bad angle, only that their thinking was wrong. They believed Ahmed to be a Syrian terrorist, one who bombed France. Later in the book, they realize the truth.

The Bad

Ahmed hides in Max’s basement. Max doesn’t tell his parents for fear they will report Ahmed, but the story does not portray his parents in a bad way. A smuggler tries to kidnap Ahmed. There are terrorist bombings mentioned several times, but it is a refugee book. Ahmed’s mother, sisters, and grandfather all die in the bomb.

Ages

I personally think ages 11-12+ is good for this book. If your younger child understands refugees and what happened, and still is happening to them today, it would be a good book for them to read as well.

My Take

I loved this book! Katherine Marsh did a great job writing a refugee book that wasn’t completely filled with violence, but still enjoyable to read. This is an incredible blended book. If you love historical fiction, this is a must-read.  I really enjoy historical fiction myself, and this one was a great example of situations refugees are in today. It helps you understand things from their point of view and how you can serve them better. The characters weren’t fanciful, they were strong, courageous people that represent real people in the world today, who help refugees find a better life.

Review by Kaitlyn