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Welcome to Nowhere
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?
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?
352 pages, Paperback
Published July 13, 2017
89 people are currently reading
1496 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Laird
214 books198 followersLaird was born in New Zealand in 1943, the fourth of five children. Her father was a ship's surgeon; both he and Laird's mother were Scottish. In 1945, Laird and her family returned to Britain and she grew up in South London, where she was educated at Croydon High School.
When she was eighteen, Laird started teaching at a school in Malaysia. She decided to continue her adventurous life, even though she was bitten by a poisonous snake and went down with typhoid.
After attending the university in Bristol, Laird began teaching English in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She and a friend would hire mules and go into remote areas in the holidays.
After a while at Edinburgh University, Laird worked in India for a summer. During travel, she met her future husband, David McDowall, who she said was very kind to her when she was airsick on a plane. The couple were married in 1975 and have two sons, Angus and William.
Laird has also visited Iraq and Lebanon. She claims to dislike snakes, porridge and being cold but enjoys very dark chocolate, Mozart, reading and playing the violin in the Iraq Symphony Orchestra.
She currently lives in Richmond, London with her husband.
When she was eighteen, Laird started teaching at a school in Malaysia. She decided to continue her adventurous life, even though she was bitten by a poisonous snake and went down with typhoid.
After attending the university in Bristol, Laird began teaching English in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She and a friend would hire mules and go into remote areas in the holidays.
After a while at Edinburgh University, Laird worked in India for a summer. During travel, she met her future husband, David McDowall, who she said was very kind to her when she was airsick on a plane. The couple were married in 1975 and have two sons, Angus and William.
Laird has also visited Iraq and Lebanon. She claims to dislike snakes, porridge and being cold but enjoys very dark chocolate, Mozart, reading and playing the violin in the Iraq Symphony Orchestra.
She currently lives in Richmond, London with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
November 2, 2016
I’ve read several of Laird’s books in the past and enjoyed them, especially her early books, but her last few have been disappointing in both quality and content, having lost any of the sensitivity, depth of character, and evident good research that made her early books enjoyable.
This is another book I’ll put in the disappointing pile. It feels like just another one of those bandwagon books milking money out of other people’s suffering but not really doing much to raise awareness of the situations, do justice to those people it’s representing, or even tell a good story, despite the notes at the end of the book about Laird's experiences working with refugees. The Acknowledgements and Notes at the end had more real emotion and depth in them than the actual story, and it’s a shame really, that Laird has actually done so much research and spent time with refugees in Jordan, yet seems unable to construct a story.
This entire book reads like the first draft of an overly long plot summary rather than a novel. Everything is generic and incredibly rushed. It’s mostly all telling rather than showing, uses a crazy amount of passive voice and summarising, and is littered with typos (the sister ‘baldly’ saying something was a funny example) and a lot of very jarring and obviously British phrases (‘more fool you’, ‘blokes’, ‘dodgy’, etc.) that were just plain annoying and didn’t make me feel Laird had done much research at all, let alone actually met and talked with refugees or even kids/teenagers. The kids especially just felt like stereotyped British kids written by an adult who honestly doesn’t know how kids actually talk. There was also a large muddle of other odd and wrongly-placed words/phases — do mosques really have ‘sermons’, for example? Even if it’s a similar thing in terms of a religious leader teaching a crowd, I strongly doubt Islam uses the Christian term for it.
The descriptions of events and settings were weak and vague, so that visualising them relied mostly on my mental bank of stereotypical media images of war-torn Syria. This seems to be a big issue among writers trying to cash in on public interest in the refugee crisis — too many of them lack that sense of place that anchors a story and its characters, and it’s so important when writing about places most people have never been, in places very different from the UK/US, that are affected by war. Khaled Hosseini’s books are brilliant in this: they’re incredibly accessible in terms of language; they show Afghanistan’s culture, its places, its people, its political tensions; his characters are suffused with their culture, and feel like real people, and all this feels natural and sensory. But Laird introduces us to two historic cities that in my head look and feel exactly the same. There’s no detail that brings either of these places alive or makes me feel for their destruction and the loss of so many people’s homes, of historic buildings, of a way of life, the culture of those cities, even. Other than the names, this story could be set anywhere in the world and it wouldn’t make any difference. The developing political tensions felt forced and weak, contrived around the kids’ escapades.
We’re also introduced to a whole host of one-dimensional characters that sit firmly in their stereotypical bubbles and don’t really shift or develop. The MC, Omar, is a contradictory and unlikable character himself, often being rude or nasty for no apparent reason while at the same time disliking others for doing exactly what he does. Any hints at development he gets are quickly backtracked in the next chapter where he thinks and behaves exactly as he did before, and then there’s a whole chapter at the end where he’s moralising over some other badly-behaved kid’s transformation in character. That entire chapter felt like a ‘must have a moral’ moment where Laird tried to force it in with a hammer. It’s the epitome of adult moralising, and the entire way it is written is so patronising. That said, Omar also often felt much younger than he was, never really the teenager he was supposed to be. Any camaraderie or brotherly development between Omar and Musa through all their secrets and problems also did nothing at all to stop the idiotic nastiness between them that makes me think more of seven year olds than teenagers. But then, almost all conflict between characters in this book is weak and generally based on babyish insults or defiance to some kind of order.
The plot was predictable where events were actual scenes being fully described rather than just being summarised, but overall it was just so boring to read. There are odd moments where the characters’ voice comes out, but mostly the whole book is just this bland summarising. A family member is very ill and spends several months in hospital -- summarised in three-quarters of a page. I’ve read so many refugee stories, from actual refugees. Humans of New York is a popular one which has ran quite a few, but there are numerous other blogs and places you can find stories compiled by people working in refugee camps, and even by refugees themselves. The BBC has also been filming real refugees on their travels. Every story is different. Every refugee, every family, has been through different things, different struggles, different miracles, and while the themes of their escape and how they had to live before they left and have lived along the way might be similar, that variety and individuality is ignored in books like this where everything millions have been suffering is wound up in the generic and stereotypical. And the most annoying thing is that Laird knows this, she’s been there, met them, talked with them, used bits of their stories in this book, and she even makes a comment about individualising people. But there is no substance to this book, no depth, no unpreachy/hamfisted emotion or character development.
Please, please, just stop. If you’re going to write a book about people-groups you’re not a part of, especially those who are still suffering now, do those people the justice they need and deserve. I tired of this book at around the 16% mark, and kept reading only to see if it would improve. It didn’t, and I really hope this book goes back for some more drafts and better editing/research before it’s actually published. This book has potential but it needs much more time spent on it before it can really be the book I think Laird wants it to be. Laird can do so much better than this, I know she can. The world does not need any more of this kind of poorly written popular-issues fodder, especially not children. Children need books that make them think and feel, that expand their understanding of these real-world issues and lives, not books that stifle and patronise them with vague and generic, poorly-written pap.
This is another book I’ll put in the disappointing pile. It feels like just another one of those bandwagon books milking money out of other people’s suffering but not really doing much to raise awareness of the situations, do justice to those people it’s representing, or even tell a good story, despite the notes at the end of the book about Laird's experiences working with refugees. The Acknowledgements and Notes at the end had more real emotion and depth in them than the actual story, and it’s a shame really, that Laird has actually done so much research and spent time with refugees in Jordan, yet seems unable to construct a story.
This entire book reads like the first draft of an overly long plot summary rather than a novel. Everything is generic and incredibly rushed. It’s mostly all telling rather than showing, uses a crazy amount of passive voice and summarising, and is littered with typos (the sister ‘baldly’ saying something was a funny example) and a lot of very jarring and obviously British phrases (‘more fool you’, ‘blokes’, ‘dodgy’, etc.) that were just plain annoying and didn’t make me feel Laird had done much research at all, let alone actually met and talked with refugees or even kids/teenagers. The kids especially just felt like stereotyped British kids written by an adult who honestly doesn’t know how kids actually talk. There was also a large muddle of other odd and wrongly-placed words/phases — do mosques really have ‘sermons’, for example? Even if it’s a similar thing in terms of a religious leader teaching a crowd, I strongly doubt Islam uses the Christian term for it.
The descriptions of events and settings were weak and vague, so that visualising them relied mostly on my mental bank of stereotypical media images of war-torn Syria. This seems to be a big issue among writers trying to cash in on public interest in the refugee crisis — too many of them lack that sense of place that anchors a story and its characters, and it’s so important when writing about places most people have never been, in places very different from the UK/US, that are affected by war. Khaled Hosseini’s books are brilliant in this: they’re incredibly accessible in terms of language; they show Afghanistan’s culture, its places, its people, its political tensions; his characters are suffused with their culture, and feel like real people, and all this feels natural and sensory. But Laird introduces us to two historic cities that in my head look and feel exactly the same. There’s no detail that brings either of these places alive or makes me feel for their destruction and the loss of so many people’s homes, of historic buildings, of a way of life, the culture of those cities, even. Other than the names, this story could be set anywhere in the world and it wouldn’t make any difference. The developing political tensions felt forced and weak, contrived around the kids’ escapades.
We’re also introduced to a whole host of one-dimensional characters that sit firmly in their stereotypical bubbles and don’t really shift or develop. The MC, Omar, is a contradictory and unlikable character himself, often being rude or nasty for no apparent reason while at the same time disliking others for doing exactly what he does. Any hints at development he gets are quickly backtracked in the next chapter where he thinks and behaves exactly as he did before, and then there’s a whole chapter at the end where he’s moralising over some other badly-behaved kid’s transformation in character. That entire chapter felt like a ‘must have a moral’ moment where Laird tried to force it in with a hammer. It’s the epitome of adult moralising, and the entire way it is written is so patronising. That said, Omar also often felt much younger than he was, never really the teenager he was supposed to be. Any camaraderie or brotherly development between Omar and Musa through all their secrets and problems also did nothing at all to stop the idiotic nastiness between them that makes me think more of seven year olds than teenagers. But then, almost all conflict between characters in this book is weak and generally based on babyish insults or defiance to some kind of order.
The plot was predictable where events were actual scenes being fully described rather than just being summarised, but overall it was just so boring to read. There are odd moments where the characters’ voice comes out, but mostly the whole book is just this bland summarising. A family member is very ill and spends several months in hospital -- summarised in three-quarters of a page. I’ve read so many refugee stories, from actual refugees. Humans of New York is a popular one which has ran quite a few, but there are numerous other blogs and places you can find stories compiled by people working in refugee camps, and even by refugees themselves. The BBC has also been filming real refugees on their travels. Every story is different. Every refugee, every family, has been through different things, different struggles, different miracles, and while the themes of their escape and how they had to live before they left and have lived along the way might be similar, that variety and individuality is ignored in books like this where everything millions have been suffering is wound up in the generic and stereotypical. And the most annoying thing is that Laird knows this, she’s been there, met them, talked with them, used bits of their stories in this book, and she even makes a comment about individualising people. But there is no substance to this book, no depth, no unpreachy/hamfisted emotion or character development.
Please, please, just stop. If you’re going to write a book about people-groups you’re not a part of, especially those who are still suffering now, do those people the justice they need and deserve. I tired of this book at around the 16% mark, and kept reading only to see if it would improve. It didn’t, and I really hope this book goes back for some more drafts and better editing/research before it’s actually published. This book has potential but it needs much more time spent on it before it can really be the book I think Laird wants it to be. Laird can do so much better than this, I know she can. The world does not need any more of this kind of poorly written popular-issues fodder, especially not children. Children need books that make them think and feel, that expand their understanding of these real-world issues and lives, not books that stifle and patronise them with vague and generic, poorly-written pap.
August 9, 2017
This was a book that really tugged at my heartstrings.
Being an Arab myself, with so many family members who struggled and went through the Syrian war (some who are still going through it and still living it there), and being of Palestinian origin, one whose family fled the country back in 1948 makes me a third-generation refugee myself.
Taking this journey with Omar and his family and really living these events with him, experiencing life as it was before the war and contrasting it with life during the war really puts things into perspective. I wasn't sure Elizabeth Laird would pull it off, but she did. Reading the descriptions of Syria before the war, the streets, the people, the markets, their lives...it made me so nostalgic, but also devastated at the immense loss.
It all becomes a hundred times more magnified when it is portrayed through the eyes of a 12 year old boy. A young boy, who along with his siblings, had future plans and wanted to do so much, but got to do nothing instead. With a difficult and backwards thinking father, his sister was struggling to continue her education so she can become a teacher, but the war put a stop to that and all her dreams came crashing down as her parents' only resolution was to get her married in order to secure a different future for her. Her mother, who fought so hard for her daughter's education actually agreed to this marriage, in order to keep her daughter safe and ensure she has some sort of future. I could sort of understand where they were coming from, but I felt so resentful and angry that the only future they could envision for their daughter in a war-zone was marriage. Fortunately, that plan fell to pieces when the family found itself forced to flee the country by foot to get to Jordan.
This is a fantastic read, one that should become required school reading to educate on this crisis! Laird has obviously done her research, because she brought it all to life for me. So much so, that I almost wanted to Google Omar and his family after I had finished the book to find out what has become of them. That's an incredible feat, and I applaud her for it.
The only thing I will point out, which is a very little annoyance, was the ending. You can stop reading now if you don't want to know how it ends, but for those who do, it ends with the youngest daughter (2 years old I believe she was) having a heart condition and therefore they were all able to acquire visas to go to London for her treatment with help and references from the camp clinic. It ends with the siblings staying up all night talking about their plans and how their life is going to change once they get to the UK etc. It ended on such a high and positive note, and was portrayed as if all their problems will end once they reach London and I didn't really think that was very realistic. They may have better lives than the one they were leading at the Zaatari camp, but it doesn't mean it's going to be any easier. To learn a new language, to try and fit into a completely different culture and society, to be Arabs and Muslims in a Western country, to always be labeled as refugees...the journey doesn't end there, the struggle doesn't end there. This is just the beginning, and I had hoped that would be conveyed in a more realistic sense.
That's the one thing I would probably change. It wasn't a bad ending, on the contrary, it was great! I love a happy ending, and perhaps after all the suffering and heartbreak throughout the story, Laird wanted to end it with a positive note, regardless of the reality of the situation as it stands now.
Being an Arab myself, with so many family members who struggled and went through the Syrian war (some who are still going through it and still living it there), and being of Palestinian origin, one whose family fled the country back in 1948 makes me a third-generation refugee myself.
Taking this journey with Omar and his family and really living these events with him, experiencing life as it was before the war and contrasting it with life during the war really puts things into perspective. I wasn't sure Elizabeth Laird would pull it off, but she did. Reading the descriptions of Syria before the war, the streets, the people, the markets, their lives...it made me so nostalgic, but also devastated at the immense loss.
It all becomes a hundred times more magnified when it is portrayed through the eyes of a 12 year old boy. A young boy, who along with his siblings, had future plans and wanted to do so much, but got to do nothing instead. With a difficult and backwards thinking father, his sister was struggling to continue her education so she can become a teacher, but the war put a stop to that and all her dreams came crashing down as her parents' only resolution was to get her married in order to secure a different future for her. Her mother, who fought so hard for her daughter's education actually agreed to this marriage, in order to keep her daughter safe and ensure she has some sort of future. I could sort of understand where they were coming from, but I felt so resentful and angry that the only future they could envision for their daughter in a war-zone was marriage. Fortunately, that plan fell to pieces when the family found itself forced to flee the country by foot to get to Jordan.
This is a fantastic read, one that should become required school reading to educate on this crisis! Laird has obviously done her research, because she brought it all to life for me. So much so, that I almost wanted to Google Omar and his family after I had finished the book to find out what has become of them. That's an incredible feat, and I applaud her for it.
The only thing I will point out, which is a very little annoyance, was the ending. You can stop reading now if you don't want to know how it ends, but for those who do, it ends with the youngest daughter (2 years old I believe she was) having a heart condition and therefore they were all able to acquire visas to go to London for her treatment with help and references from the camp clinic. It ends with the siblings staying up all night talking about their plans and how their life is going to change once they get to the UK etc. It ended on such a high and positive note, and was portrayed as if all their problems will end once they reach London and I didn't really think that was very realistic. They may have better lives than the one they were leading at the Zaatari camp, but it doesn't mean it's going to be any easier. To learn a new language, to try and fit into a completely different culture and society, to be Arabs and Muslims in a Western country, to always be labeled as refugees...the journey doesn't end there, the struggle doesn't end there. This is just the beginning, and I had hoped that would be conveyed in a more realistic sense.
That's the one thing I would probably change. It wasn't a bad ending, on the contrary, it was great! I love a happy ending, and perhaps after all the suffering and heartbreak throughout the story, Laird wanted to end it with a positive note, regardless of the reality of the situation as it stands now.
March 15, 2017
Omar is 12 and he is proud of his town called Bosra in the country of Syria. Omar doesn't enjoy school like his older sister Eman and brother Musa. But life is good and he dreams of the day of being a businessman like his cousin and uncle.
Musa has cerebral palsy and is incredibly smart. Omar has spent his life sticking up for his brother against taunts and trouble, but when Musa becomes involved with activists against the Syrian government (that their father works for), Omar is even more worried for him. And suddenly they have to flee. Ma, Baba (father), Eman, Musa, Omar, Fuad (5), and baby sister Nadia. After living out of Bosra on a family farm, they have to flee again. They have received word the government is after Baba. Again they flee - this time, across the border with thousands of other to a refugee camp.
Although there are no guns in the camp, there is also no hope of returning home, nothing to do, severe cold, mud and slime in the winter, and queues, no privacy and camp gangs to contend with. But Omar is resourceful and strong and he makes the best of a terrible situation. Little does he know that wee Nadia is their way out, but only after they nearly lose her.
Welcome to Nowhere is a great way of learning about the Syrian crisis and what its people have faced and are still facing today. One painted slogan by a few teen boys is all it takes to light the flame that becomes the Syrian Civil War that we see on our news. Storytellers like Elizabeth Laird show the rest of the world truths that must be told.
Musa has cerebral palsy and is incredibly smart. Omar has spent his life sticking up for his brother against taunts and trouble, but when Musa becomes involved with activists against the Syrian government (that their father works for), Omar is even more worried for him. And suddenly they have to flee. Ma, Baba (father), Eman, Musa, Omar, Fuad (5), and baby sister Nadia. After living out of Bosra on a family farm, they have to flee again. They have received word the government is after Baba. Again they flee - this time, across the border with thousands of other to a refugee camp.
Although there are no guns in the camp, there is also no hope of returning home, nothing to do, severe cold, mud and slime in the winter, and queues, no privacy and camp gangs to contend with. But Omar is resourceful and strong and he makes the best of a terrible situation. Little does he know that wee Nadia is their way out, but only after they nearly lose her.
Welcome to Nowhere is a great way of learning about the Syrian crisis and what its people have faced and are still facing today. One painted slogan by a few teen boys is all it takes to light the flame that becomes the Syrian Civil War that we see on our news. Storytellers like Elizabeth Laird show the rest of the world truths that must be told.
February 19, 2023
This book is absolutely amazing. I enjoyed every single page. The author described everything so wonderfully. It's a very touching book, filled with misery and hardship. A family of Serian refugees have to flee their home due to war and seek asylum in London. Omar is a very caring brother, even though he is the the third eldest sibling, he does anything to do to make his parents and siblings happy. The bond he has with his sister Eman is sweet and loving. He always finds an opportunity to protect his family in difficult times. This is one of the best books I've read.
December 24, 2024
Very emotional read.
April 21, 2018
2018 CARNEGIE LONGLIST BOOK 14/20
1.5
I'm really not very impressed with this, but that may be just me, as I have never really enjoyed Elizbeth Laird's books. I find them very flat and boring, and this one didn't feel any different from any of her other works. I think it is her writing style that I don't like, because I do appreciate the importance of the stories she tells, and I just think the execution of them is the thing that lets me down.
So this book follows the story of Omar, who lives in Syria. When war breaks out, he and his family are forced to flee their home town. This could have been relatively interesting and enjoyable to read, if it wasn't for the fact that we have ended up with such an insufferable narrator. Honestly, Omar is selfish and rude and shallow and ungrateful and so boring to read about. I hated the way he treated his brother Musa, who has cerebal palsey. He was unnecessarily unkind and had no respect. I don't think the author meant it to read that way, but for me it did. Also, at the end of the book I was shocked to find that he was supposed to have aged about three years, because his character did not develop or mature in any way at all! The plot is not too bad, but Elizabeth Laird glosses over many of the most traumatic/exciting parts. I don't know whether this is to keep her books light enough for children, but I feel like this story had the potential to pack a really emotional punch, and yet the author glazes over scenes that could have been raw and emotional. She spends most of her time writing about Omar bragging about how good he is at selling stuff.
I think another problem I had with this book is the fact that there was just too much unresolved sexism. We do have the strong female character Eman - I wish the book had been told from her point of view - but she seems to be denied everything throughout the book and her problems are never really adressed. Omar does promise to try and help her but nothing comes of this either, as most of the time he is too busy gloating about his own talents and talking about how school is a waste of time (yet another reason why he is selfish and ungrateful). I understand that perhaps this society is like this, but it is not a pleasant reading experience when a narrator who is younger than you begins to express concern that his mother may embarrass his father by disobeying him in public, and acting surprised and shocked when his mother begins to stand up to his father.
Over all, I found this very flat and emotionless, which is a shame. I wish the author had a more emotive writing style or way of telling the story, because I was unable to enjoy it. The book was too sexist for me to comfortably read and enjoy, and the main character was slap worthy at the best of times. This would not be my choice for winner, or to be shortlisted.
1.5
I'm really not very impressed with this, but that may be just me, as I have never really enjoyed Elizbeth Laird's books. I find them very flat and boring, and this one didn't feel any different from any of her other works. I think it is her writing style that I don't like, because I do appreciate the importance of the stories she tells, and I just think the execution of them is the thing that lets me down.
So this book follows the story of Omar, who lives in Syria. When war breaks out, he and his family are forced to flee their home town. This could have been relatively interesting and enjoyable to read, if it wasn't for the fact that we have ended up with such an insufferable narrator. Honestly, Omar is selfish and rude and shallow and ungrateful and so boring to read about. I hated the way he treated his brother Musa, who has cerebal palsey. He was unnecessarily unkind and had no respect. I don't think the author meant it to read that way, but for me it did. Also, at the end of the book I was shocked to find that he was supposed to have aged about three years, because his character did not develop or mature in any way at all! The plot is not too bad, but Elizabeth Laird glosses over many of the most traumatic/exciting parts. I don't know whether this is to keep her books light enough for children, but I feel like this story had the potential to pack a really emotional punch, and yet the author glazes over scenes that could have been raw and emotional. She spends most of her time writing about Omar bragging about how good he is at selling stuff.
I think another problem I had with this book is the fact that there was just too much unresolved sexism. We do have the strong female character Eman - I wish the book had been told from her point of view - but she seems to be denied everything throughout the book and her problems are never really adressed. Omar does promise to try and help her but nothing comes of this either, as most of the time he is too busy gloating about his own talents and talking about how school is a waste of time (yet another reason why he is selfish and ungrateful). I understand that perhaps this society is like this, but it is not a pleasant reading experience when a narrator who is younger than you begins to express concern that his mother may embarrass his father by disobeying him in public, and acting surprised and shocked when his mother begins to stand up to his father.
Over all, I found this very flat and emotionless, which is a shame. I wish the author had a more emotive writing style or way of telling the story, because I was unable to enjoy it. The book was too sexist for me to comfortably read and enjoy, and the main character was slap worthy at the best of times. This would not be my choice for winner, or to be shortlisted.
September 3, 2017
Although technically a children’s/young adult book, this is a novel that can equally be read and enjoyed by adults. It’s the story of 12-year-old Omar and his family who are caught up in the deadly Syrian civil war. Forced to flee their home and become refugees, the depiction of their plight is moving, powerful and insightful. Their tale is emblematic of all the refugee stories and brings the conflict to life in a way that I found authentic and convincing. The author has worked in refugee camps and met many refugees and her first-hand knowledge informs her writing to great effect. She manages to explain the origins of the conflict such that I felt I understood a little more of what has now become a seemingly intractable tragedy. Her description of the heartache and desperation of all those forced to flee their homes has given me a deeper understanding of why so many try to get to Europe, especially the young men who seem to have no other options. This is a very impressive piece of writing indeed and deserves a wider readership than just a younger one.
August 1, 2017
I nearly bought this book on my way to France, but didn't, I did buy it on the way back to England however and I'm glad I did. This book is a real eye opener to a harsh reality and even though some of the characters (due to their attitude and cruel words towards women and Musa) made me angry at times, I found other characters such as Omar, very likeable. I'm not good at this reviewing thing and struggle to know what to say, but I do know that all in all I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
September 2, 2017
Actually I bought this book for my daughter, but read it before she did. I thought the writing was good, and she will enjoy the book. I remember reading Elizabeth Laird's "Red Sky in the Morning" when I was a child; I hope my daughter will learn more about war in Syria through this book. She's 6 though, and may need some explanations. 😃
July 14, 2023
väga meeldiv kohustusliku kirjanduse kohta. pani mõtlema ja võibolla natuke mõnest asjast elus paremini aru saama
October 20, 2020
I'm so glad Elizabeth Laird is bringing wonder and joy to this generation's children, just like she did with mine. Hiding Out sparked a long interest in survival stories and a imaginative game of trying to figure out how I'd survive on every beach I visited as a kid.
Welcome to Nowhere tells the story of Omar and his family who, due to increasing conflict and violence in Syria, flee to nearby Jordan for safety. The perspective of a child (well, teenager) means that the target audience can relate with the characters and empathise with their position. I think this is so important with this topic where children can be influenced by moral panic in the media, whispered rumours and prejudiced comments they may hear. The story all takes place in Syria and Jordan, so students can truly understand why people claim asylum in other countries.
I also enjoyed the ending and I think it leads to the possibility of a sequeal; I hope so!
Welcome to Nowhere tells the story of Omar and his family who, due to increasing conflict and violence in Syria, flee to nearby Jordan for safety. The perspective of a child (well, teenager) means that the target audience can relate with the characters and empathise with their position. I think this is so important with this topic where children can be influenced by moral panic in the media, whispered rumours and prejudiced comments they may hear. The story all takes place in Syria and Jordan, so students can truly understand why people claim asylum in other countries.
I also enjoyed the ending and I think it leads to the possibility of a sequeal; I hope so!
February 12, 2023
Elizabeth Laird’s subversive brilliance shines in new and unexpected ways with this masterpiece. The language, the story, and the personalities of each character are displayed finely throughout the text. This book, which was published in 2017 has historical references to the Syrian war which happened in March 2011.
Welcome to nowhere is a book about a boy and his family living through a cataclysmic war in Syria. It made them move through several towns and cities until finding themselves in a Jordan refuge. There Omar's father returns to Syria and dies from a shooting, Musa becomes the family's head but still needs Omar to help him with walking.
This story ends on a cliffhanger leaving the readers in suspense about what is going to happen next. Is Nadia going to be alright? Are the Hooligans going to follow them? Will the people in London be nice?
You should most absolutely read this if you like a good suspense and action story as the danger and fear builds and release at a really fast pace. Another book following this book, Welcome to nowhere, would be incredible.
Welcome to nowhere is a book about a boy and his family living through a cataclysmic war in Syria. It made them move through several towns and cities until finding themselves in a Jordan refuge. There Omar's father returns to Syria and dies from a shooting, Musa becomes the family's head but still needs Omar to help him with walking.
This story ends on a cliffhanger leaving the readers in suspense about what is going to happen next. Is Nadia going to be alright? Are the Hooligans going to follow them? Will the people in London be nice?
You should most absolutely read this if you like a good suspense and action story as the danger and fear builds and release at a really fast pace. Another book following this book, Welcome to nowhere, would be incredible.
January 10, 2019
# pages: 329
Dec 28, 2018
This book is about a Twelve-Year-Old boy named Omar that lives in a city in Syria named Bosra. Omar doesn't care about politics - all he wants is to grow up to become a successful businessman, but suddenly his older brother Musa became mixed up with activists. Later in the book bombs started falling in their city but his family had to leave their city for their safety. I really liked this book because it talks about a Syrian boy that suffers in the Syrian War. I recommend this book to someone that likes knowing how people live and suffer in wars.
Dec 28, 2018
This book is about a Twelve-Year-Old boy named Omar that lives in a city in Syria named Bosra. Omar doesn't care about politics - all he wants is to grow up to become a successful businessman, but suddenly his older brother Musa became mixed up with activists. Later in the book bombs started falling in their city but his family had to leave their city for their safety. I really liked this book because it talks about a Syrian boy that suffers in the Syrian War. I recommend this book to someone that likes knowing how people live and suffer in wars.
April 4, 2017
Most of the time I don't rate books on Goodreads, but I thought this book was so incredible that I should. It was a very touching story of a family of 6 stuck in the middle of the Syrian Civil war, who are forced to flee their home, along with so many other family's. This book was definitely the best book I've read this school year, and I recommend it to everyone.
February 12, 2018
I was soooo ready to hate this book but in the end I just couldnt.
It started as a one sided view of how to love refugees. Im glad it turned out to be different. It was a beautiful fairytale even trough all the war. I dont think it would change anyones views about the current refugee situation but it helps to understand at least a bit.
It started as a one sided view of how to love refugees. Im glad it turned out to be different. It was a beautiful fairytale even trough all the war. I dont think it would change anyones views about the current refugee situation but it helps to understand at least a bit.
Read
February 23, 2018This is such an important book.
Read
March 27, 2019Available for loan in the SEC at Harcourt Hill Library.
June 19, 2024
An excellent book, showing the impact of the war in Syria on the lives of an ordinary family.
October 22, 2024
Im so thankful that 10 year old me read this.
Read
November 22, 2025I am the daddy of the hooligans
August 17, 2021
This book follows 12 year old Omar from Syria and his family as they become refugees during the Syrian War. Laird frames the very 'adult' theme of the war refugee in a way completely accessible to the child between years 4-6. This fulfils not just a literary purpose but also educates young readers on a topic present in the news in a child friendly way. By extension, through the character of Omar's sister, Laird tackles the topic of child marriage and through Omar's big brother explores the life of a disabled child caught in a war zone. I really enjoyed this book and found it incredibly moving in parts, the theme that runs through the whole book is that of the importance of family and loyalty even in times of extreme hardship. This book is so powerful because of the relatable nature of Omar as a character, he is a normal 12 year old who wants and wishes for everything a child in Britain would. Omar's childhood seemingly abruptly ends when he becomes the head of the family after the death of his Father, yet he still shows his childish side in the refugee camp, showing the reader that despite having no home and a life full of uncertainty he is still a child. This book is an incredibly important resource for teachers and parents alike to educate children on the refugee experience through the eyes of a child.
February 10, 2023
This book was amazing! The adventures that Musa and Omar go on adds a certain type of "flavour" to this book that I haven't experienced before. The use of predicates and clauses in all the right places makes the story fit together perfectly (like a puzzle). This narrative about the destitute citizens that live in Bosra, Syria uses compelling language techniques that hook and hold you from the moment you start reading. This book also uses advanced syntax (sentence structure) to sculpt the story into a flowing river that captures you almost immediately. My one negative piece of feedback on this book is the ending. It feels abrupt and I feel like it leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Is Nadia okay? Are they going to make it to London? What's going to happen to them after they make it to London? Overall, this book was extremely good part from the slight hitches at the end, and that's why I gave it a 4 out of 5.
March 16, 2021
I think it's a super powerful book, with lot's of surprises. I think one thing that is hard to achieve in a book, and has been in this one, is finding the right pace for the whole book. Every part is not too fast, or too slow, just perfect!!
November 20, 2018
A strong 5 stars!
A heartbreaking and emotional story of a family caught up in the Syrian war and their struggle to flee. Everyone should read this book!
A heartbreaking and emotional story of a family caught up in the Syrian war and their struggle to flee. Everyone should read this book!
February 17, 2023
This book is really good in my opinion. The adventures of Omar and Musa are exceptionally well written. The moment you start reading, you instantly get hooked on it. The build-up of tension, as Omar's family escape to Daraa is really well written. The only downside of the book is near the end. As they make it into the prisoner-of-war camp and Nadia gets sick, the book just suddenly stops. 'What happened to Nadia? Did they get to London? Were they alright?' were some questions that I had in mind. Overall, this book was really well written and I believe that you should definitely read it.
November 30, 2016
This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
The eximious children’s author, Elizabeth Laird, is continuing with her magnificent streak of prize-worthy novels. Her soon to be published book Welcome to Nowhere will be eagerly consumed by fans and new-readers alike. With a contemporary setting and shocking truths, young readers will become more aware of the events happening near and far.
Omar is only twelve, yet has a life style that will seem alien to the majority of readers. Living in Syria, Omar works to earn a wage as well as attends school, whilst also helping to care for his Cerebral-Palsy-suffering brother and three other siblings. Although Omar’s life is not easy, it is preferable to the events he is soon about to witness.
In March 2011, Syria broke out in civil war after the daring behaviour of a couple of schoolboys. After these vandals scrawled the phrase “the people want the regime to change” onto a wall, the government decided to fight back. With shootings regularly occurring in the streets, and bombs falling on houses, Omar and his family flee their city home to live with family in the countryside. However, they cannot stay there for long before danger finds them again. Running from the enemy, Omar and family find themselves on the streets with thousands of other refugees. But, where can they go when they have nowhere to call home?
Although Welcome to Nowhere is set before the development of the extreme Muslim group, ISIS, Elizabeth Laird provides an accurate description of the lives of Syrians and refugees at this present moment. Most young readers, and possibly many adults, may not understand what caused the current refugee crisis and may even regard them as the enemy. This book will open hearts and minds after revealing the terror and destruction thousands of people have faced, their experience of refugee camps and their desperation to be able to live in safety.
As well as revealing truths about the situation in the Middle East, Welcome to Nowhere educates the reader on the customs and beliefs of average Muslim families. Although slightly antiquated – men dominate over women – they are not all that different to the Western world. Omar wants to become a successful businessman, whilst his sister is desperate to go to school and university. Laird also writes of scenarios that are not unique to Syrian citizens, in particular medical conditions such as Cerebral Palsy and the way these people are attacked by social stigmas.
Whilst not labeling this book as ‘exciting’, Welcome to Nowhere is a story that will engage the readers’ attention. As a book with both entertainment and educational value, Elizabeth Laird’s latest book is worthy of significant praise. It is not often that a writer will dare to reveal the gritty truth about the current situation in the world, and thus Laird must be commended for persevering with such a difficult, challenging story. Although targeted at young adults (ages 12+), older readers will also enjoy and learn from this exceptional novel.
The eximious children’s author, Elizabeth Laird, is continuing with her magnificent streak of prize-worthy novels. Her soon to be published book Welcome to Nowhere will be eagerly consumed by fans and new-readers alike. With a contemporary setting and shocking truths, young readers will become more aware of the events happening near and far.
Omar is only twelve, yet has a life style that will seem alien to the majority of readers. Living in Syria, Omar works to earn a wage as well as attends school, whilst also helping to care for his Cerebral-Palsy-suffering brother and three other siblings. Although Omar’s life is not easy, it is preferable to the events he is soon about to witness.
In March 2011, Syria broke out in civil war after the daring behaviour of a couple of schoolboys. After these vandals scrawled the phrase “the people want the regime to change” onto a wall, the government decided to fight back. With shootings regularly occurring in the streets, and bombs falling on houses, Omar and his family flee their city home to live with family in the countryside. However, they cannot stay there for long before danger finds them again. Running from the enemy, Omar and family find themselves on the streets with thousands of other refugees. But, where can they go when they have nowhere to call home?
Although Welcome to Nowhere is set before the development of the extreme Muslim group, ISIS, Elizabeth Laird provides an accurate description of the lives of Syrians and refugees at this present moment. Most young readers, and possibly many adults, may not understand what caused the current refugee crisis and may even regard them as the enemy. This book will open hearts and minds after revealing the terror and destruction thousands of people have faced, their experience of refugee camps and their desperation to be able to live in safety.
As well as revealing truths about the situation in the Middle East, Welcome to Nowhere educates the reader on the customs and beliefs of average Muslim families. Although slightly antiquated – men dominate over women – they are not all that different to the Western world. Omar wants to become a successful businessman, whilst his sister is desperate to go to school and university. Laird also writes of scenarios that are not unique to Syrian citizens, in particular medical conditions such as Cerebral Palsy and the way these people are attacked by social stigmas.
Whilst not labeling this book as ‘exciting’, Welcome to Nowhere is a story that will engage the readers’ attention. As a book with both entertainment and educational value, Elizabeth Laird’s latest book is worthy of significant praise. It is not often that a writer will dare to reveal the gritty truth about the current situation in the world, and thus Laird must be commended for persevering with such a difficult, challenging story. Although targeted at young adults (ages 12+), older readers will also enjoy and learn from this exceptional novel.
January 6, 2026
Interesting and captivating
February 22, 2017
Timely and poignant, Welcome to Nowhere is perfect for middle graders who have questions about the Syrian refugee crisis, or for parents/teachers who seek to introduce and incite conversations about the world's current sociopolitical climate. Laird neither shies away from the violence of war, nor does she dwell on it in a way that might be considered inappropriate for readers on the younger end of the 9-12 age range.
For even younger readers, I highly recommend The Journey by Francesca Sanna, a heartbreakingly beautiful—but ultimately hopeful—picture book, inspired by the stories of Syrian, Somali, Tibetan, and Eritrean refugees.
For even younger readers, I highly recommend The Journey by Francesca Sanna, a heartbreakingly beautiful—but ultimately hopeful—picture book, inspired by the stories of Syrian, Somali, Tibetan, and Eritrean refugees.
February 22, 2017
Excellent book, written at an important time. This story discusses how Omar and his family become refugees due to the Syrian civil war. I like how it is told from the perspective of Omar. It makes the reader think more about refugees and the struggles they have faced, what it is like to have no place you can call home. Highly recommend reading this book.
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