By Elizabeth Laird (author)
"A vivid portrayal of an ordinary Syrian family whose lives are shattered by war. Highly topical empathetic account will have a profound impact upon readers."
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This is an excellent book for young people who want to know what is happening in Syria and why – serious, thoughtful, sympathetic to the ordinary people caught up in the war; in a highly readable story it gives a real insight into their lives, and how quickly they have changed from something very similar to our own, to something incomprehensible.
Readers meet Laird’s fictional Syrian family at the beginning of the civil war when life is good, particularly for her central character Omar, a young boy already dreaming of running his own business. But as protests against the government spiral into war, the family are forced from their house, then their country. Omar stays upbeat, even in their refugee camp where hope is in very short supply, a lively, reassuring narrator.
Unlike his older brother, he’s not interested in the protests, just wants things to be back the way they were; though the book ends with Omar, his mother and sisters escaping the refugee camp, we know that their lives have changed forever.
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.
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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
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
Elizabeth Laird is the multi-award-winning author of several much-loved children's books, including The Garbage King , The Prince Who Walked with Lions and The Fastest Boy in the World . 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. Read more about the author here .
Photo: © Anne Mortensen
UKLA Book Awards - 2018
the best books for 9-12 year olds
I am from Afghanistan so this book relates to my country a lot.
This is an excellent book for young people who want to know what is happening in Syria. This is a serious, thoughtful, and sympathetic book. In a thrilling readable story, it gives a real insight into their lives, and how quickly they have changed from living in an adequate city to a horrendous place to live in. This fictional Syrian family starts its struggle when they move to daara. At the beginning of the civil war when life is good, particularly for the central character Omar, a young boy already dreaming of running his own business. But as protests against the government create war, the family are forced from their house, then their country. Omar stays upbeat, even in their refugee camp where hope is in very short supply.... Read Full Review
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.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Welcome to Nowhere and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Welcome to Nowhere features in the following genres: Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, Recommendations, Featured Books for 9+ readers, Recommended Children's eBooks, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Gritty Reads, Stories about Family and Friends, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback, Hardback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. Temporarily Out Of Stock.
Welcome to Nowhere was written by Elizabeth Laird and published by Macmillan Children's Books an imprint of Pan Macmillan
Welcome to Nowhere has 342 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. Temporarily Out Of Stock.
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