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No Place on Earth
From the Newbery Honor-winning author of Iveliz Explains It All, comes a moving novel with a touch of magic, where two boys find themselves in each other's dreams and slowly help one another face the real world.
Since moving to Yellowstone National Park for his mom's job, Gustavo Santos Costa has had a lot on his mind.
For bison stampedes. Did you know that bison can run three times faster than the average person? Why do people always stand so close to boiling hot springs?! the bad dreams. Why have they only gotten worse since the move?
And that’s all before Gus somehow meets his classmate Kordell inside his dreams. While Gus avoids sleeping (and nightmares) at all costs, Kordell finds that dreams seem to be a welcome escape from his real life . . . until one day, they're no longer enough. With the connection between the boys, Gus may be the only person who can help Kordell. But when most things already feel too big to take on, how can Gus find the courage to be there for his friends?
In this powerful novel from the Newbery Honor-winning author of Iveliz Explains It All, two boys confront their fears—and their dreams—to save themselves and each other.
Since moving to Yellowstone National Park for his mom's job, Gustavo Santos Costa has had a lot on his mind.
For bison stampedes. Did you know that bison can run three times faster than the average person? Why do people always stand so close to boiling hot springs?! the bad dreams. Why have they only gotten worse since the move?
And that’s all before Gus somehow meets his classmate Kordell inside his dreams. While Gus avoids sleeping (and nightmares) at all costs, Kordell finds that dreams seem to be a welcome escape from his real life . . . until one day, they're no longer enough. With the connection between the boys, Gus may be the only person who can help Kordell. But when most things already feel too big to take on, how can Gus find the courage to be there for his friends?
In this powerful novel from the Newbery Honor-winning author of Iveliz Explains It All, two boys confront their fears—and their dreams—to save themselves and each other.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2026
About the author
Andrea Beatriz Arango
6 books251 followersAndrea Beatriz Arango is the author of Newbery Honor Book Iveliz Explains It All and the Pura Belpré Honor Book Something Like Home. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where she first became a teacher. She then spent a decade in the United States working in public schools and nonprofits. When she’s not busy writing about middle schoolers and their families, you can find her hoping to spot manatees at the beach. Andrea lives in Puerto Rico with her family and two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Gustavo is devastated that he has to leave his family, especially his father, in Puerto Rico when his mother takes a job in Montana at Yellowstone National Park. In addition to missing family, he struggles with anxiety that his family treats as inconsequential, and is petrified of the variety of wild animals in his new home. His sister Lorena doesn’t seem to mind, and his mother is very excited about her new job. Gardiner, where he attends school, is small, but the kids at school are nice. He meets Kordell, a Black student, who has been showing up in his dreams. He is also part of the Bison Brigade conservation and survival group that Gustavo joins because his father is hoping that time in Montana will help him “man up” and not suffer from “chapines” (a feeling like there are fish in his stomach). Gustavo like the leader of the group, Ranger Rob, who says that the group is a safe space and doesn’t seem to mind when he has to wear women’s hiking boots because he has narrow feet, a BIG change from the way Gustavo’s family approaches matters. Gustavo is asked to play Dungeons and Dragons with a group from school, which is helpful since he misses his friends in Puerto Rico, with whom he plays video games. As Gustavo’s dreams start to intersect more with Kordell’s, he learns that their family situations are similar, with their parents being separated and Kordell struggling with depression, but also learns that his mother has taken Kordell’s mother’s job. While this causes a rift, the boys are able to work through their differences, and Gustavo is emboldened to tell his parents that he needs to be in therapy.
Strengths: Gustavo’s longing for Puerto Rico (which is much warmer than Montana) and the inclusion of a lot of Spanish phrases will be appreciated by students who either are experiencing homesickness, or want to understand classmates who are. The Yellowstone setting is intriguing. There is a bit of magical realism, as Gustavo had a great grandmother who was “sensitive” and had some experiences with dreams. The chapters from Kordell’s point of view are in verse. The stress over parents separating and divorcing is not addressed in middle grade literature enough, and seeing how both boys handle their situations differently is instructive. The author’s note addresses the state of mental health challenges facing Latine students, and there are a lot of positive examples of tweens talking through problems and advocating for themselves. It was good to see that there were some positive experiences in Montana, and Gustavo was willing to split his year between Montana and his father in Puerto Rico after his father faced his own toxic masculinity.
Weaknesses: When I described this book to my daughter, she agreed that moving to Yellowstone National Park would be very cool, and most middle school students would embrace this experience with a lot more positivity! I would rather have seen more information about this very cool area of the world, and seen Gustavo have amazing adventures there.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who liked or have enjoyed books about children navigating mental health issues like Stout’s Making Plans for Nigel Binty, Lumsden’s and Pieplow’s Confessions of a Mango, LaRocca’s Mirror to Mirror, Lerner’s A Work in Progress, Baron’s The Gray, Pyron’s Octopus Moon, or Piontek’s Better With Butter, or Arango’s other works, It’s All or Nothing or Something Like Home. I already have so many books about children working through mental health issues that I may not purchase this, especially since the books I have on the topic do not circulate well.
Gustavo is devastated that he has to leave his family, especially his father, in Puerto Rico when his mother takes a job in Montana at Yellowstone National Park. In addition to missing family, he struggles with anxiety that his family treats as inconsequential, and is petrified of the variety of wild animals in his new home. His sister Lorena doesn’t seem to mind, and his mother is very excited about her new job. Gardiner, where he attends school, is small, but the kids at school are nice. He meets Kordell, a Black student, who has been showing up in his dreams. He is also part of the Bison Brigade conservation and survival group that Gustavo joins because his father is hoping that time in Montana will help him “man up” and not suffer from “chapines” (a feeling like there are fish in his stomach). Gustavo like the leader of the group, Ranger Rob, who says that the group is a safe space and doesn’t seem to mind when he has to wear women’s hiking boots because he has narrow feet, a BIG change from the way Gustavo’s family approaches matters. Gustavo is asked to play Dungeons and Dragons with a group from school, which is helpful since he misses his friends in Puerto Rico, with whom he plays video games. As Gustavo’s dreams start to intersect more with Kordell’s, he learns that their family situations are similar, with their parents being separated and Kordell struggling with depression, but also learns that his mother has taken Kordell’s mother’s job. While this causes a rift, the boys are able to work through their differences, and Gustavo is emboldened to tell his parents that he needs to be in therapy.
Strengths: Gustavo’s longing for Puerto Rico (which is much warmer than Montana) and the inclusion of a lot of Spanish phrases will be appreciated by students who either are experiencing homesickness, or want to understand classmates who are. The Yellowstone setting is intriguing. There is a bit of magical realism, as Gustavo had a great grandmother who was “sensitive” and had some experiences with dreams. The chapters from Kordell’s point of view are in verse. The stress over parents separating and divorcing is not addressed in middle grade literature enough, and seeing how both boys handle their situations differently is instructive. The author’s note addresses the state of mental health challenges facing Latine students, and there are a lot of positive examples of tweens talking through problems and advocating for themselves. It was good to see that there were some positive experiences in Montana, and Gustavo was willing to split his year between Montana and his father in Puerto Rico after his father faced his own toxic masculinity.
Weaknesses: When I described this book to my daughter, she agreed that moving to Yellowstone National Park would be very cool, and most middle school students would embrace this experience with a lot more positivity! I would rather have seen more information about this very cool area of the world, and seen Gustavo have amazing adventures there.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who liked or have enjoyed books about children navigating mental health issues like Stout’s Making Plans for Nigel Binty, Lumsden’s and Pieplow’s Confessions of a Mango, LaRocca’s Mirror to Mirror, Lerner’s A Work in Progress, Baron’s The Gray, Pyron’s Octopus Moon, or Piontek’s Better With Butter, or Arango’s other works, It’s All or Nothing or Something Like Home. I already have so many books about children working through mental health issues that I may not purchase this, especially since the books I have on the topic do not circulate well.
August 27, 2026
Another great middle grade novel that sees a young Gustavo forced to move and live in Yellowstone National Park with his mom and sisters while his parents navigate a divorce. Depressed, Gustavo begins having weird dreams involving buffalo and meets another boy in this alternate dream universe. I loved the mental health rep in this book, the way the two boys bond in both the real and dream worlds and their mutual 'broken' home states. Great on audio with special effects and perfect for fans of books like Buffalo dreamer by Violet Duncan.
September 4, 2026
“And for the first time, I wonder if the problem isn’t my emotions, but the fact that my family won’t let them exist.”
I just finished NO PLACE ON EARTH. It’s all about a young boy, Gustavo, trying to understand his feelings while his family calls them “chapines” and refuses to name what he is going through. Andrea Beatriz Arango has written an important story about anxiety, family, and resilience.
What’s immediately distinctive about this middle-grade book is how the author writes Gustavo’s real-world scenes in prose and switches to verse for his vivid, shared lucid dreams with his classmate Kordell. I felt this perfectly captures the boundary between reality and the subconscious mind, and yet reading this story is completely fluid.
The story begins in Puerto Rico and moves to Yellowstone National Park when Gustavo’s mother takes a new job there, a huge move his parents decide is best.
“I hate goodbyes. I hate new things. And moving to the middle of a giant forest two months into sixth grade is pretty much one of the worst things I can imagine happening to me.”
Indeed, moving to the wild, rocky snow covered mountains with boiling hot springs, steep narrow roads and wildlife wandering around heightens everything Gustavo feels. And it truly seems as if the setting becomes a character itself.
It’s what Gustavo goes through every day with his “chapines” that got to me. It is so honest and raw. We see how Gustavo's father pushes him to be a tough “Machustavo.” We experience his nightmares with him and how he creates scenarios and possibilities, aptly called Gustavo’s Brain. I didn't just sympathize with him; I felt like I truly got to know him.
There is hope as Gustavo and Kordell build a friendship that takes a lot of effort and that breaks down the expectations placed on both boys. There is also a brilliant, sort of serious humor here because of how Gustavo’s panicking brain spirals into darkly funny, extreme possibilities. And there’s an unexpected, beautiful perspective from The Bison at the end.
I love this book! NO PLACE ON EARTH handles mental health with the absolute highest level of care.
I just finished NO PLACE ON EARTH. It’s all about a young boy, Gustavo, trying to understand his feelings while his family calls them “chapines” and refuses to name what he is going through. Andrea Beatriz Arango has written an important story about anxiety, family, and resilience.
What’s immediately distinctive about this middle-grade book is how the author writes Gustavo’s real-world scenes in prose and switches to verse for his vivid, shared lucid dreams with his classmate Kordell. I felt this perfectly captures the boundary between reality and the subconscious mind, and yet reading this story is completely fluid.
The story begins in Puerto Rico and moves to Yellowstone National Park when Gustavo’s mother takes a new job there, a huge move his parents decide is best.
“I hate goodbyes. I hate new things. And moving to the middle of a giant forest two months into sixth grade is pretty much one of the worst things I can imagine happening to me.”
Indeed, moving to the wild, rocky snow covered mountains with boiling hot springs, steep narrow roads and wildlife wandering around heightens everything Gustavo feels. And it truly seems as if the setting becomes a character itself.
It’s what Gustavo goes through every day with his “chapines” that got to me. It is so honest and raw. We see how Gustavo's father pushes him to be a tough “Machustavo.” We experience his nightmares with him and how he creates scenarios and possibilities, aptly called Gustavo’s Brain. I didn't just sympathize with him; I felt like I truly got to know him.
There is hope as Gustavo and Kordell build a friendship that takes a lot of effort and that breaks down the expectations placed on both boys. There is also a brilliant, sort of serious humor here because of how Gustavo’s panicking brain spirals into darkly funny, extreme possibilities. And there’s an unexpected, beautiful perspective from The Bison at the end.
I love this book! NO PLACE ON EARTH handles mental health with the absolute highest level of care.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
No Place on Earth addresses several important topics that are not discussed enough, especially when it comes to teen boys. I really appreciated the way the book explores mental health, anxiety, and depression, because young men, especially young Latino boys, need to see that they are not alone and that it is okay to talk about their struggles and ask for help. The book also does an important job of addressing male toxicity and machismo culture, showing how these expectations can affect how boys express emotions and handle challenges.
Many of the themes in this story are ones that my students will be able to relate to. Moving to a new place, adjusting to a different language and culture, making new friends while trying to maintain connections to old friends and a place of origin, can be incredibly stressful and emotionally complex. Seeing a character navigate those experiences provides an opportunity for young readers to feel seen and understood.
I also liked the inclusion of both English and Spanish throughout the story, as well as the use of text conversations. For today’s teens, digital communication is such a major part of how they connect with one another, so this made the story feel more authentic and reflective of their lives.
While I did feel that the story became a little slow at times and could have used a stronger hook to draw teen boys in from the beginning, I still think this is an important book. The lucid dreaming element was interesting, but I’m not sure it alone would be enough to immediately capture reluctant teen readers. However, I would absolutely recommend this book and see it as one that could be a meaningful match for certain students (especially those who may be struggling with identity, belonging, mental health, or the challenges of navigating multiple cultures.)
Many of the themes in this story are ones that my students will be able to relate to. Moving to a new place, adjusting to a different language and culture, making new friends while trying to maintain connections to old friends and a place of origin, can be incredibly stressful and emotionally complex. Seeing a character navigate those experiences provides an opportunity for young readers to feel seen and understood.
I also liked the inclusion of both English and Spanish throughout the story, as well as the use of text conversations. For today’s teens, digital communication is such a major part of how they connect with one another, so this made the story feel more authentic and reflective of their lives.
While I did feel that the story became a little slow at times and could have used a stronger hook to draw teen boys in from the beginning, I still think this is an important book. The lucid dreaming element was interesting, but I’m not sure it alone would be enough to immediately capture reluctant teen readers. However, I would absolutely recommend this book and see it as one that could be a meaningful match for certain students (especially those who may be struggling with identity, belonging, mental health, or the challenges of navigating multiple cultures.)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 stars
This middle grade novel features great characters and a few issues that seem ubiquitous in life but are far too often ignored in literature, especially for this audience. There's a lot to like in this heartfelt read.
Gustavo is not thrilled when he has to move with his mother and sister to Yellowstone National Park for his mom's new job. He misses his dad, Puerto Rico, the life he once had, and restful sleep. Gustavo is plagued by uncertainty, but it's more than that, readers come to learn. He is struggling with anxiety and with all of the challenges he's facing. What's wonderful about him is his strong desire to get help. An added challenge? His awareness that his family won't exactly support the kind of help he wants.
In his new environment, Gustavo connects with nature, with a few adults here and there who support him in new ways, and especially with a new friend, Kordell. It's not easy to find a thriving male friendship, particularly one that features openness about vulnerability and emotions, in middle grade lit. This book stands out not only for the open conversations about mental health but also for the charming tie between these two friends and the inventive way in which it arises.
I did have some minor pacing challenges, but I really enjoyed this content aand the book overall. I'll definitely be back for more from this author and am confident I'll have many occasions to recommend this one to students.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Books for Young Readers for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
This middle grade novel features great characters and a few issues that seem ubiquitous in life but are far too often ignored in literature, especially for this audience. There's a lot to like in this heartfelt read.
Gustavo is not thrilled when he has to move with his mother and sister to Yellowstone National Park for his mom's new job. He misses his dad, Puerto Rico, the life he once had, and restful sleep. Gustavo is plagued by uncertainty, but it's more than that, readers come to learn. He is struggling with anxiety and with all of the challenges he's facing. What's wonderful about him is his strong desire to get help. An added challenge? His awareness that his family won't exactly support the kind of help he wants.
In his new environment, Gustavo connects with nature, with a few adults here and there who support him in new ways, and especially with a new friend, Kordell. It's not easy to find a thriving male friendship, particularly one that features openness about vulnerability and emotions, in middle grade lit. This book stands out not only for the open conversations about mental health but also for the charming tie between these two friends and the inventive way in which it arises.
I did have some minor pacing challenges, but I really enjoyed this content aand the book overall. I'll definitely be back for more from this author and am confident I'll have many occasions to recommend this one to students.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Books for Young Readers for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, NetGalley, for the eArc.
This middle-grade novel features elements of magical realism. Gustavo's parents are taking a break from each other, with his dad remaining in Puerto Rico and Gustavo, his older sister, and his mom moving to Yellowstone National Park. Gustavo lives with anxiety, leading to nightmares most of the time he sleeps. Gustavo misses his friends, his school, his father, and his life in Puerto Rico. Add to that his being the new student in a small school where one cannot hide, low confidence in his English, and the fact that he keeps falling asleep in class due to his lack of good sleep, and you have the crux of the story.
Kordell is chosen to be Gustavo's buddy at school, and a tentative friendship begins to develop between the boys as they open up to each other. They find themselves in each other's dreams and also find that they are more alike than different. Emotional health, gender stereotypes, cultural expectations, and divorce are all woven into Gustavo's story. The adults in the novel are supportive and understanding.
This may be one of those good books that kids may not pick up on their own. This is a good resource for counselors, parents, and teachers looking for a story that kids in a new setting, kids with family upheaval, and kids dealing with anxiety, depression, or other emotional challenges will be able to identify with and realize that they are not alone.
This middle-grade novel features elements of magical realism. Gustavo's parents are taking a break from each other, with his dad remaining in Puerto Rico and Gustavo, his older sister, and his mom moving to Yellowstone National Park. Gustavo lives with anxiety, leading to nightmares most of the time he sleeps. Gustavo misses his friends, his school, his father, and his life in Puerto Rico. Add to that his being the new student in a small school where one cannot hide, low confidence in his English, and the fact that he keeps falling asleep in class due to his lack of good sleep, and you have the crux of the story.
Kordell is chosen to be Gustavo's buddy at school, and a tentative friendship begins to develop between the boys as they open up to each other. They find themselves in each other's dreams and also find that they are more alike than different. Emotional health, gender stereotypes, cultural expectations, and divorce are all woven into Gustavo's story. The adults in the novel are supportive and understanding.
This may be one of those good books that kids may not pick up on their own. This is a good resource for counselors, parents, and teachers looking for a story that kids in a new setting, kids with family upheaval, and kids dealing with anxiety, depression, or other emotional challenges will be able to identify with and realize that they are not alone.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Young teens Gustavo and Kordell may seem different on the outside but they are all too alike in some devastating ways. Both are navigating mental heath issues and both must stand by helplessly as their parents separate. They both dream nearly every night, too. Gustavo has terrifying nightmares; Kordell creates dreamscapes filled with the beauty and the beasts of Yellowstone National Park, where both boys now live. When they meet in their dreams, Kordell is angry and Gustavo is confused. They form a conflict-ridden partnership of sorts that ultimately helps them both cope with unpleasant emotions - anxiety for Gus, depression for Kordell - and the unwanted changes in their lives. Eventually this partnership grows into genuine friendship.
I enjoyed No Place On Earth but didn't find myself dying to get back to the book each day to see what would happen, how the mysteries would unfold and whether the boys would get the help they needed. The book was more of a gentle, slightly detached read for me rather than one that gripped me and wouldn't let go. I think the themes it explores are much-needed in the middle grade space, particularly with male main characters. And the mix of prose and verse kept things interesting. It may be a great way to get boys reading and easing their way into novels in verse.
I enjoyed No Place On Earth but didn't find myself dying to get back to the book each day to see what would happen, how the mysteries would unfold and whether the boys would get the help they needed. The book was more of a gentle, slightly detached read for me rather than one that gripped me and wouldn't let go. I think the themes it explores are much-needed in the middle grade space, particularly with male main characters. And the mix of prose and verse kept things interesting. It may be a great way to get boys reading and easing their way into novels in verse.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
No Place on Earth is a fantastic middle grade novel, with a sensitive boy main character - a type of hero more young readers need to see in stories.
Set-Up:
Gustavo is 11, living in Puerto Rico with his mom, dad, and older sister. Mom and dad decide to "take a break" from their marriage, leading to Mom and the kids relocating to Yellowstone National Park for an exciting new job for mom in the park. Gustavo has been struggling with anxiety about everything for a while, and his old-school father thinks he needs to simply toughen up. When he gets to Yellowstone, his previously worrisome dreams seem to overlap with another boy in the area, Kordell, who is also having a hard time. Gustavo struggles retaining his friendships with close buddies back home, and with how to get his parents to support him and understand what he needs.
Thoughts:
I really enjoy Arango's writing style, and this book is another hit. Gustavo and his family are so realistic, and I loved how everyone grew in realistic ways. The youth mental health rep in this book (anxiety and depression) is well done and such a crucial topic for tween / teen readers now. My only criticism of the book is that I wanted more Yellowstone! The setting is given some descriptions and there is a club of sorts Gustavo joins focused on the national park, but I think young readers would enjoy more adventure and action in nature.
Set-Up:
Gustavo is 11, living in Puerto Rico with his mom, dad, and older sister. Mom and dad decide to "take a break" from their marriage, leading to Mom and the kids relocating to Yellowstone National Park for an exciting new job for mom in the park. Gustavo has been struggling with anxiety about everything for a while, and his old-school father thinks he needs to simply toughen up. When he gets to Yellowstone, his previously worrisome dreams seem to overlap with another boy in the area, Kordell, who is also having a hard time. Gustavo struggles retaining his friendships with close buddies back home, and with how to get his parents to support him and understand what he needs.
Thoughts:
I really enjoy Arango's writing style, and this book is another hit. Gustavo and his family are so realistic, and I loved how everyone grew in realistic ways. The youth mental health rep in this book (anxiety and depression) is well done and such a crucial topic for tween / teen readers now. My only criticism of the book is that I wanted more Yellowstone! The setting is given some descriptions and there is a club of sorts Gustavo joins focused on the national park, but I think young readers would enjoy more adventure and action in nature.
September 1, 2026
I'm a huge fan of Andrea Beatriz Arango's work; I LOVE her previous middle grade novels. So I was a bit surprised when this one didn't land for me in the same way. Like her other books, she explores anxiety and depression with this one. Gustavo has anxiety, and moves from Puerto Rico to Yellowstone National Park with his mother and older sister, when his parents decide to take a break. His family is very dismissive of his anxiety, and his dad is constantly on his case to "man up," essentially. Then he meets another kid that lives at Yellowstone, named Kordell, in his dreams. Kordell has depression. Together, they dream about elk and bison.
So I enjoyed the focus on mental illness and toxic masculinity. I liked the setting. But the dream sequences just felt off to me. Maybe it's because the audiobook had some jingling bells and this audio narration during the dream sequences that felt very New Age to me. But maybe I just don't love novels that rely so much on dreams. But there are other books centering dreams I have enjoyed. Hmmm. I don't know quite why this one felt different. I felt a little more distanced from the characters, too. I would still recommend this one! I'd be interested to chat with anyone else who's read it.
So I enjoyed the focus on mental illness and toxic masculinity. I liked the setting. But the dream sequences just felt off to me. Maybe it's because the audiobook had some jingling bells and this audio narration during the dream sequences that felt very New Age to me. But maybe I just don't love novels that rely so much on dreams. But there are other books centering dreams I have enjoyed. Hmmm. I don't know quite why this one felt different. I felt a little more distanced from the characters, too. I would still recommend this one! I'd be interested to chat with anyone else who's read it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An upcoming MG coming-of-age story by @andreabeatrizarango you won’t want to miss.
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Since moving to Yellowstone National Park for his mom’s job, Gustavo can’t quiet his racing thoughts or his worsening nightmares. As he tries to avoid sleep altogether, he discovers something impossible: he and his classmate Kordell are meeting inside their dreams. While dreams feel like an escape for Kordell, they become increasingly dangerous, and Gus may be the only one who can help. Facing his fears head-on, Gus must find the courage to show up for a friend when everything already feels overwhelming.
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I loved the blend of prose and poetry, along with the dual point of view. It added so much emotional depth to the story. The last 20% absolutely wrecked me; I cried straight through it. Books like are essential for young readers, especially because they create space to talk about hard, real topics like divorce, mental health, and navigating huge life changes in a way that feels honest and accessible. This one is giving Newbery vibes. Grab it when it releases August 25!
CW: emesis, divorce, depression, anxiety, toxic masculinity, parental abandonment
🦬
Since moving to Yellowstone National Park for his mom’s job, Gustavo can’t quiet his racing thoughts or his worsening nightmares. As he tries to avoid sleep altogether, he discovers something impossible: he and his classmate Kordell are meeting inside their dreams. While dreams feel like an escape for Kordell, they become increasingly dangerous, and Gus may be the only one who can help. Facing his fears head-on, Gus must find the courage to show up for a friend when everything already feels overwhelming.
🐟
I loved the blend of prose and poetry, along with the dual point of view. It added so much emotional depth to the story. The last 20% absolutely wrecked me; I cried straight through it. Books like are essential for young readers, especially because they create space to talk about hard, real topics like divorce, mental health, and navigating huge life changes in a way that feels honest and accessible. This one is giving Newbery vibes. Grab it when it releases August 25!
CW: emesis, divorce, depression, anxiety, toxic masculinity, parental abandonment
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Life's complicated for Gustavo and Kordell, two 11-year-olds who both live within Yellowstone National Park. Both Gustavo and Kordell have mental health challenges, and their lives overlap in other ways, too. They keep finding each other within a dreamscape while sleeping. Kordell wants to be there, and has learned to build a dreamscape where he can feel close to the buffalo and other animals of Yellowstone. Gustavo struggles with nightmares and anxiety, and when he starts showing up in Kordell's animal-friendly dreamscape, his fears influence the dreamscape. It repeatedly flips from tranquility to terror for Gustavo.
Both boys have parents who are in the process of breaking up, and are affected by parental moves, decisions over where to live and who to be with, and worries about how to cope.
I enjoyed the hopefulness of this novel, and it is hopeful in spite of being a story about loss. Kordell and Gustavo gain things, too--better understanding of themselves, friendship, and hope for things to become better. There is a theme of recognizing mental health challenges, learning to speak about emotions, and embracing therapy that's very needed. It's especially powerful that these are are tween boys of color on the path of positive mental health growth, given that there aren't many books with that specific representation of minority groups.
Both boys have parents who are in the process of breaking up, and are affected by parental moves, decisions over where to live and who to be with, and worries about how to cope.
I enjoyed the hopefulness of this novel, and it is hopeful in spite of being a story about loss. Kordell and Gustavo gain things, too--better understanding of themselves, friendship, and hope for things to become better. There is a theme of recognizing mental health challenges, learning to speak about emotions, and embracing therapy that's very needed. It's especially powerful that these are are tween boys of color on the path of positive mental health growth, given that there aren't many books with that specific representation of minority groups.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gustavo and Kordell are two middle school boys both dealing with their parents separating and you can feel how heavy that is for them.
Gustavo has to leave Puerto Rico when his mom takes a job at Yellowstone, and everything shifts including his home, his routine, his sense of safety and sense of belonging.
His sleep gets worse, the nightmares come in strong, and it’s clear his body is carrying what he doesn’t always have words for. Kordell is going through his own thing too, being asked to choose which parent to live with while trying to make sense of his grief.
Their friendship slowly becomes a lifeline. There’s something really powerful about the way the book explores dreams especially Gustavo learning about that ancestral connection and how healing can come through culture, connection, and being understood.
This is a story a lot of kids will see themselves in, especially those dealing with divorce or big emotions that show up in quiet ways, like being exhausted at school. Soft, real, and full of heart.
Gustavo has to leave Puerto Rico when his mom takes a job at Yellowstone, and everything shifts including his home, his routine, his sense of safety and sense of belonging.
His sleep gets worse, the nightmares come in strong, and it’s clear his body is carrying what he doesn’t always have words for. Kordell is going through his own thing too, being asked to choose which parent to live with while trying to make sense of his grief.
Their friendship slowly becomes a lifeline. There’s something really powerful about the way the book explores dreams especially Gustavo learning about that ancestral connection and how healing can come through culture, connection, and being understood.
This is a story a lot of kids will see themselves in, especially those dealing with divorce or big emotions that show up in quiet ways, like being exhausted at school. Soft, real, and full of heart.
August 31, 2026
No Place on Earth is a tender and imaginative story about friendship, fear, and finding courage when life feels overwhelming.
I loved the idea of Gus and Kordell meeting through their dreams and gradually becoming a source of strength for one another. The dream element adds a touch of magic, but the emotions underneath feel very real especially the loneliness, uncertainty, and bravery involved in facing difficult experiences. The Yellowstone setting also gives the story a wonderful sense of adventure and wonder.
Overall, it’s a meaningful middle-grade read for children who enjoy magical stories with heart, especially those centered on friendship, courage, dreams, and learning that you don't have to face your fears alone.
I loved the idea of Gus and Kordell meeting through their dreams and gradually becoming a source of strength for one another. The dream element adds a touch of magic, but the emotions underneath feel very real especially the loneliness, uncertainty, and bravery involved in facing difficult experiences. The Yellowstone setting also gives the story a wonderful sense of adventure and wonder.
Overall, it’s a meaningful middle-grade read for children who enjoy magical stories with heart, especially those centered on friendship, courage, dreams, and learning that you don't have to face your fears alone.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was so excited to get a hold of an advanced copy of No Place on Earth and after reading it, I can't wait to be able to hand it to the kids in my library. This book tackles so much in a relatively short novel. Gustavo and Kordell's friendship and individual struggles with mental health were done with care and understanding. The unique setting made allowed for my imagination to run wild, giving the dreamscapes an even bigger impact. The angst of an anxiety disorder mixed with cultural expectations, a pending divorce, and general adolescence was so accurate, I really felt the chapínos along with Gustavo.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
No Place on Earth is a lovely middle-grade book about becoming more comfortable in your brain and reaching out to others when you need help.
This book follows Puerto Rican tween Gustavo whose parents split up, causing him to relocate with his mother and sister to Yellowstone National Park. Gustavo struggles with nightmares and anxious thinking, and the move to the park is full of new and worrisome situations. However, Gustavo begins take control of his nightmares when he meets a classmate in his dreams. His classmate, Kordell, uses lucid dreaming to create beautiful and comforting "dreamscapes" which are both comforting and exciting landscapes, as well as escapes from the uncomfortable aspects of his life. Kordell helps Gustavo begin to name and manage his struggle with anxiety, while Gustavo helps reassure Kordell that he is loved--even when he is in a depressive episode.
My favorite part of this book was the first-person narration. I thought that Gustavo was very empathetic as a narrator, and his concerns about adults not being worried enough really reminded me of myself as a kid. The dream sequences, which are all written in-verse, are also distinct and beautiful. When they were used heavily at the end of the book, I was got a little teary.
This book follows Puerto Rican tween Gustavo whose parents split up, causing him to relocate with his mother and sister to Yellowstone National Park. Gustavo struggles with nightmares and anxious thinking, and the move to the park is full of new and worrisome situations. However, Gustavo begins take control of his nightmares when he meets a classmate in his dreams. His classmate, Kordell, uses lucid dreaming to create beautiful and comforting "dreamscapes" which are both comforting and exciting landscapes, as well as escapes from the uncomfortable aspects of his life. Kordell helps Gustavo begin to name and manage his struggle with anxiety, while Gustavo helps reassure Kordell that he is loved--even when he is in a depressive episode.
My favorite part of this book was the first-person narration. I thought that Gustavo was very empathetic as a narrator, and his concerns about adults not being worried enough really reminded me of myself as a kid. The dream sequences, which are all written in-verse, are also distinct and beautiful. When they were used heavily at the end of the book, I was got a little teary.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lots of big topics in this middle grade novel. Moving from Puerto Rico to Yellowstone National Park, as Mama and Pa are 'taking a break' from their marriage. Dealing with new places, new classmates, anxiety, depression, it's a lot to handle. The use of lucid dreaming as a tool was fascinating and effective. I liked the use of interspersed verse chapters.
The only thing that I would change is, the first chapters titled "Kordell," which turn out to be a new classmate, were a bit confusing. Not being a Spanish speaker, and with the novel peppered with Spanish phrases, I wasn't sure what Kordell signified until several chapters later. I think that needs another look.
The only thing that I would change is, the first chapters titled "Kordell," which turn out to be a new classmate, were a bit confusing. Not being a Spanish speaker, and with the novel peppered with Spanish phrases, I wasn't sure what Kordell signified until several chapters later. I think that needs another look.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In an elegant weaving of prose and poetry, “No Place on Earth” leads us through the life of Gustavo Santos Cosas and his family, from Puerto Rico to Yosemite. Dreams thick fight against culture, fight against the needs and understanding of a bright, sensitive 11yr old Gustavo and a new friend he meets at Yosemite. I love the writing, honest, clear and true of Andrea Beatriz Arango in all her books. She shows great respect and understanding of the young characters and their challenges in all of her books, especially Gustavo.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Many thanks to Random House Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for the digital review copy. This book comes out on August 25th!
Sometimes a good middlegrade will make everything okay. This was the perfect book to pick up while I was having an anxiety attack.
I already knew Andrea Beatriz Arango's verse novels were great, but now I can safely say her prose is just as good (and there was some verse here as well!). Gustavo was such an easy character to root for. He was simply so relatable, and it was great to see him grow.
Sometimes a good middlegrade will make everything okay. This was the perfect book to pick up while I was having an anxiety attack.
I already knew Andrea Beatriz Arango's verse novels were great, but now I can safely say her prose is just as good (and there was some verse here as well!). Gustavo was such an easy character to root for. He was simply so relatable, and it was great to see him grow.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gustavo's life drastically changes when he moves with his mom and sister from Puerto Rico to Yellowstone National Park. He believes it's his fault that his parents separated because of his bad dreams and anxiety. One of his new classmates, Kordell, keeps appearing in his dreams, and their lives begin to overlap in the dream world and real life. This book had a lot of potential, but I wish it had focused just on Gustavo and not the intertwined dreams. ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I can't believe my FOURTH book will be out in just over 3 months 🥹❤️. Thank you to anyone who's pre-ordered or asked their library to purchase the novel. It means the world to me ✨.
NPoE has been the most challenging to write out of all my books and I'm so so proud of it. Gustavo's brain & mine have a LOT in common 😅.
See you in Dream Yellowstone on Aug 25th!
NPoE has been the most challenging to write out of all my books and I'm so so proud of it. Gustavo's brain & mine have a LOT in common 😅.
See you in Dream Yellowstone on Aug 25th!
August 12, 2026
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the Yellowstone setting of this book and the look at anxiety & depression in the lives of Gustavo and Kordell. There were good lessons in how to talk about how you’re feeling and walking through hard things with friends, even in middle school.
I really enjoyed the Yellowstone setting of this book and the look at anxiety & depression in the lives of Gustavo and Kordell. There were good lessons in how to talk about how you’re feeling and walking through hard things with friends, even in middle school.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of ARC from NetGalley
It took me a little while to get into this book. I loved the dreamscaping and that it was set in Yellowstone National Park. It was nice to read a book about a friendship between two boys as most books are about girl friendships.
It took me a little while to get into this book. I loved the dreamscaping and that it was set in Yellowstone National Park. It was nice to read a book about a friendship between two boys as most books are about girl friendships.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I enjoyed this as a middle grade read, but I'm not sure my students would pick it up. I love that tells of a boy who has anxiety when there's so much stigma with boys and metal health.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 Stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Not sure how I feel about this book yet. 3.5 stars. There’s a lot of magical realism and it was hard to suspend my belief.
August 31, 2026
Audio- good for MS male mental health awareness
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