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24 Hours in Nowhere
When you come from Nowhere, can you ever really make it anywhere? Author Dusti Bowling (Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus) returns to the desert to create a gripping story about friendship, hope, and finding the power we all have within ourselves.
Welcome to Nowhere, Arizona, the least livable town in the United States. For Gus, a bright 13-year-old with dreams of getting out and going to college, life there is made even worse by Bo Taylor, Nowhere’s biggest, baddest bully. When Bo tries to force Gus to eat a dangerously spiny cactus, Rossi Scott, one of the best racers in Nowhere, comes to his rescue—but in return she has to give Bo her prized dirt bike. Determined to buy it back, Gus agrees to go searching for gold in Dead Frenchman Mine, joined by his old friends Jessie Navarro and Matthew Dufort, and Rossi herself. As they hunt for treasure, narrowly surviving everything from cave-ins to mountain lions, they bond over shared stories of how hard life in Nowhere is—and they realize this adventure just may be their way out.
Welcome to Nowhere, Arizona, the least livable town in the United States. For Gus, a bright 13-year-old with dreams of getting out and going to college, life there is made even worse by Bo Taylor, Nowhere’s biggest, baddest bully. When Bo tries to force Gus to eat a dangerously spiny cactus, Rossi Scott, one of the best racers in Nowhere, comes to his rescue—but in return she has to give Bo her prized dirt bike. Determined to buy it back, Gus agrees to go searching for gold in Dead Frenchman Mine, joined by his old friends Jessie Navarro and Matthew Dufort, and Rossi herself. As they hunt for treasure, narrowly surviving everything from cave-ins to mountain lions, they bond over shared stories of how hard life in Nowhere is—and they realize this adventure just may be their way out.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published September 4, 2018
232 people are currently reading
2178 people want to read
About the author
Dusti Bowling
21 books1,304 followersDUSTI BOWLING grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, where, as her family will tell you, she always had her nose in a book. She released her first middle grade novel in 2017 and hasn't stopped writing since.
Dusti's books have won the Reading the West Award, the Sakura Medal, a Golden Kite Honor, the William Allen White Children's Book Award, and have been nominated for a Cybil and over fifty state awards. Her books are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections and have been named best books of the year by the Chicago Public Library, Kirkus, Bank Street College of Education, A Mighty Girl, Shelf Awareness, and many more.
Dusti currently lives in Eagar, Arizona with her husband, three daughters, and a bunch of farm animals.
Follow her on Twitter at @DustiBowling.
Dusti's books have won the Reading the West Award, the Sakura Medal, a Golden Kite Honor, the William Allen White Children's Book Award, and have been nominated for a Cybil and over fifty state awards. Her books are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections and have been named best books of the year by the Chicago Public Library, Kirkus, Bank Street College of Education, A Mighty Girl, Shelf Awareness, and many more.
Dusti currently lives in Eagar, Arizona with her husband, three daughters, and a bunch of farm animals.
Follow her on Twitter at @DustiBowling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 505 reviews
February 5, 2018
I hope you all enjoy Gus and his friends' adventure in the Arizona desert!
November 9, 2018
In this cleverly written middle grade novel, a whole lot happens to Gus and his friends in just 24 hours. Ironically, they all live in a town called Nowhere. It all begins with a bully named Bo. Our hero (Gus) describes himself as a 13-year-old with the body of an 8-year-old and the brain of an 18-year-old. This book has it all: rumors of treasure, desert peril, wild animals, a dangerous mine, motorcycle racing and more. . . Many a chapter ends with a cliffhanger and drags you onto the next one. A captivating read for boys and girls.
June 4, 2022
4.5
I enjoyed this book. The character arcs were cool as was the 24 hour time frame of the story. A few spots felt extremely unrealistic, guess I've watched too many episodes of Man VS Wild...lol...I just don't believe a mountain lion would leave you alone after you hit it with a backpack, twice. Sorry, but no.
There were a few jokes that seemed a bit crude for a MG book...and honestly the characters were 13 so I'm not sure it should be classified as MG...but maybe more like a lower level YA...personal thoughts.
I'd recommend for 13 and up because of the slightly crude comments. But other than that the story was really good, the characters were fun, and the concept was great.
I enjoyed this book. The character arcs were cool as was the 24 hour time frame of the story. A few spots felt extremely unrealistic, guess I've watched too many episodes of Man VS Wild...lol...I just don't believe a mountain lion would leave you alone after you hit it with a backpack, twice. Sorry, but no.
There were a few jokes that seemed a bit crude for a MG book...and honestly the characters were 13 so I'm not sure it should be classified as MG...but maybe more like a lower level YA...personal thoughts.
I'd recommend for 13 and up because of the slightly crude comments. But other than that the story was really good, the characters were fun, and the concept was great.
March 20, 2018
This is Dusti’s second book and just as good as Cactus. This time we follow Gus on a wild adventure into a dangerous cave searching for gold. He takes three helpers along who are all as different as day and night. Young readers will so enjoy this story!
March 28, 2020
Bowling, Dusti. 24 Hours in Nowhere. (2018). Let me preface that when I picked this book up, I did not realize that it was by the same person who wrote the Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus. I am now a fan of Dusti Bowling based off these two stories about middle schoolers.
24 Hours takes place in the Sonoran Desert, in the town of Nowhere, Arizona, the poorest town in the the state. The story is told by Gus, and we meet him as his face is being shoved into a cholla cactus by the town bully, Bo. Rossi comes to his rescue, trading her beloved motor cross bike in order for Bo to release Connor from his vise like grip. By doing this, she automatically disqualifies herself from the motocross race happening the next day. Bo accepts - Rossi is his biggest competition and he has lost to her several times. Gus is determined to get the bike back for her so she can participate in the race. He braves going to Bo's trailer to negotiate a way to get the bike back. Bo decides the only way for Gus to earn Rossi's bike back, was for him to go into the legendary, Dead Frenchman Mine and retrieve a piece of gold for him. The mine is known for caving in and killing people who venture in seeking the town's famed William Dufort's treasure. Determined to get Rossi's bike back, he accepts the challenge. Bo sends his henchman, Matthew Dufort, to follow Gus and ensure that he retrieves genuine gold from the mine. Inside the mine, they are joined by Rossi and Jessie, who get wind of Gus's crusade. Unable to talk him out of his quest, they join him. Within minutes, it caves in, and there starts the adventure. The four kids must figure their way out, while getting past the preconceptions of each other, including Bo, all while negotiating the perils inside the cave. The book is also the journey of Gus as he comes to realize his past does not define him. 24 Hours in Nowhere is a fun, fast, and sweet story. I would recommend this book to fourth through 8th graders.
24 Hours takes place in the Sonoran Desert, in the town of Nowhere, Arizona, the poorest town in the the state. The story is told by Gus, and we meet him as his face is being shoved into a cholla cactus by the town bully, Bo. Rossi comes to his rescue, trading her beloved motor cross bike in order for Bo to release Connor from his vise like grip. By doing this, she automatically disqualifies herself from the motocross race happening the next day. Bo accepts - Rossi is his biggest competition and he has lost to her several times. Gus is determined to get the bike back for her so she can participate in the race. He braves going to Bo's trailer to negotiate a way to get the bike back. Bo decides the only way for Gus to earn Rossi's bike back, was for him to go into the legendary, Dead Frenchman Mine and retrieve a piece of gold for him. The mine is known for caving in and killing people who venture in seeking the town's famed William Dufort's treasure. Determined to get Rossi's bike back, he accepts the challenge. Bo sends his henchman, Matthew Dufort, to follow Gus and ensure that he retrieves genuine gold from the mine. Inside the mine, they are joined by Rossi and Jessie, who get wind of Gus's crusade. Unable to talk him out of his quest, they join him. Within minutes, it caves in, and there starts the adventure. The four kids must figure their way out, while getting past the preconceptions of each other, including Bo, all while negotiating the perils inside the cave. The book is also the journey of Gus as he comes to realize his past does not define him. 24 Hours in Nowhere is a fun, fast, and sweet story. I would recommend this book to fourth through 8th graders.
April 28, 2018
Dusti Bowling has done it again. Like INSIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF A CACTUS, 24 HOURS IN NOWHERE is achingly real, seriously exciting, and every bit as hilarious as it is heartfelt. This story from Nowhere is sure to make kids EVERYWHERE feel stronger, braver, and less alone.
September 18, 2019
Loved it even more the second time through!! Because this time I read it with my kids. We laughed through this one and most days the kids kept begging, "Just one more chapter mom! PLEASE... just one more!" <3
Having LOVED Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, I was already looking forward to Dusti Bowling’s next book: 24 Hours in Nowhere. This is the story of Gus, a rather bright 13 year old who is stuck in Nowhere, Arizona. When his friend, Rossi Scott, gives up her beloved motorcycle to save Gus from having to eat a horrible cactus, he feels compelled to do whatever he can to win her motorcycle back — including entering the dangerous mines (filled with mystery, myths, and HOPEFULLY treasure). Over the next 24 hours, four different people enter the mines and must work together and trust one another if they hope to get back out alive. Throughout their dangerous trials, they discover just how much they each have in common with one another. Bowling’s ability to effortlessly weave complicated lives into a cohesive story line is stunning. She creates such well-rounded, relatable characters. I loved each of them — laughing and crying throughout their stories and treasure hunting adventure. 24 Hours in Nowhere beautifully addresses so many societal issues at once: bullying, sexism, racism, incarceration, abandonment, and income disparity. Once I finished this book, I turned to my husband and said we would be buying a home copy of this book and reading it with our five children. I didn’t merely like this book, I would say it’s my favorite read of 2018, so far. Bowling is a legit storyteller. I hope she has a mountain of books planned in her future because I plan to read every last one of them! My thanks to Sterling Publishing and Edelweiss for providing an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my review.
Having LOVED Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, I was already looking forward to Dusti Bowling’s next book: 24 Hours in Nowhere. This is the story of Gus, a rather bright 13 year old who is stuck in Nowhere, Arizona. When his friend, Rossi Scott, gives up her beloved motorcycle to save Gus from having to eat a horrible cactus, he feels compelled to do whatever he can to win her motorcycle back — including entering the dangerous mines (filled with mystery, myths, and HOPEFULLY treasure). Over the next 24 hours, four different people enter the mines and must work together and trust one another if they hope to get back out alive. Throughout their dangerous trials, they discover just how much they each have in common with one another. Bowling’s ability to effortlessly weave complicated lives into a cohesive story line is stunning. She creates such well-rounded, relatable characters. I loved each of them — laughing and crying throughout their stories and treasure hunting adventure. 24 Hours in Nowhere beautifully addresses so many societal issues at once: bullying, sexism, racism, incarceration, abandonment, and income disparity. Once I finished this book, I turned to my husband and said we would be buying a home copy of this book and reading it with our five children. I didn’t merely like this book, I would say it’s my favorite read of 2018, so far. Bowling is a legit storyteller. I hope she has a mountain of books planned in her future because I plan to read every last one of them! My thanks to Sterling Publishing and Edelweiss for providing an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my review.
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May 5, 2020In this cleverly written middle grade novel, a whole lot happens to Gus and his friends in just 24 hours. Ironically, they all live in a town called Nowhere. It all begins with a bully named Bo. Our hero (Gus) describes himself as a 13-year-old with the body of an 8-year-old and the brain of an 18-year-old. This book has it all: rumors of treasure, desert peril, wild animals, a dangerous mine, motorcycle racing and more. . . Many a chapter ends with a cliffhanger and catapults you onto the next one. A captivating read for all. Currently available on Overdrive at www.mymcpl.org as an audio or e-book. Check it out today! *Reviewed by Darla from Red Bridge*
March 29, 2019
Thank you @kidlitexchange @dustibowling and @sterlingbooks for a free review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Wow, this middle grade book was full of so much goodness from start to finish. First off, the setting is definitley a huge part of the story. The fictional town of Nowhere is based on a real town called Nothing in Arizona. It was easy to picture the surrounding dessert. I could feel the intense summer heat and I even googled cholla cactus so I could make sure to never cross paths with it. The abandoned mines were a fantastic place for the kids to go on one heck of an adventure. It’s also a very poor area. Kids are not being pushed in school, they come from broken backgrounds and often live with relatives or siblings, money is tight, the water is questionable and everyone just seems to be living day by day.
The characters were fantastic; even the side ones - Grandma cracked me up!! Bo Taylor, the ultimate bully, was super easy to dislike. I loved when these kids finally outsmarted him. The best part though, was the relationship between Rossi, Gus, Jessie and Matthew. I enjoyed watching them bond, share similar hardships and grow all over sharing one crazy day together.
This book is full of nonstop adventure. Bo took Rossi’s dirt bike to keep her from competing in an important race. He will only give it back if Gus brings him a piece of gold from Dead Frenchman Mine. The moment our group enters the mysterious mines they encounter a cave in, guano, a mountain lion, legends of lost treasures and so much more. My favorite part was learning what A.L. Nose stood for on the map!! This wild experience definitely creates a wonderful bond amongst the kids. It also shows a great lesson on being aware of who you are associating with. Friends should always encourage and lift you up no matter the circumstance.
The chapters were short and easy to read making this a fantastic selection for a group read or discussion. I loved the vocabulary and definitions woven throughout the story as well. Seeing that Bowling has a personal connection to some of these situations, only made it that more heartwarming.
Wow, this middle grade book was full of so much goodness from start to finish. First off, the setting is definitley a huge part of the story. The fictional town of Nowhere is based on a real town called Nothing in Arizona. It was easy to picture the surrounding dessert. I could feel the intense summer heat and I even googled cholla cactus so I could make sure to never cross paths with it. The abandoned mines were a fantastic place for the kids to go on one heck of an adventure. It’s also a very poor area. Kids are not being pushed in school, they come from broken backgrounds and often live with relatives or siblings, money is tight, the water is questionable and everyone just seems to be living day by day.
The characters were fantastic; even the side ones - Grandma cracked me up!! Bo Taylor, the ultimate bully, was super easy to dislike. I loved when these kids finally outsmarted him. The best part though, was the relationship between Rossi, Gus, Jessie and Matthew. I enjoyed watching them bond, share similar hardships and grow all over sharing one crazy day together.
This book is full of nonstop adventure. Bo took Rossi’s dirt bike to keep her from competing in an important race. He will only give it back if Gus brings him a piece of gold from Dead Frenchman Mine. The moment our group enters the mysterious mines they encounter a cave in, guano, a mountain lion, legends of lost treasures and so much more. My favorite part was learning what A.L. Nose stood for on the map!! This wild experience definitely creates a wonderful bond amongst the kids. It also shows a great lesson on being aware of who you are associating with. Friends should always encourage and lift you up no matter the circumstance.
The chapters were short and easy to read making this a fantastic selection for a group read or discussion. I loved the vocabulary and definitions woven throughout the story as well. Seeing that Bowling has a personal connection to some of these situations, only made it that more heartwarming.
April 2, 2018
Dusti Bowling’s debut book is one of my favorite books. Loving the next book an author writes can be hard because I hold that other book up to such a high level. I’m thrilled that Dusti’s second book matched my expectations and what I love is that it had such a different feel than her first book. When I strip my analyzing down, yes, both books had characters with flaws that root for, but it was so different, the plot line so eloquently different, that I can love this book in a whole different way. Do not miss this one.
October 14, 2020
Absolutely LOVED IT!!! Cannot wait to read more of Bowling’s books!!!
March 1, 2018
Just finished this super sweet book and when I finished I sighed and said, "Awwww!" 24 Hours in Nowhere is a wild west adventure for kids of all ages with a totally heartfelt message about where you come from not defining who you are. Rossi Scott is such a great role model for young readers -- she is strong, independent and can ride a motorcycle like no one's business. Gus is constantly picked on by big bully Bo, who is as cruel as they come -- shoving Gus into a cactus right on page one. Gus is a sweet and kind boy, kind of wimpy but he learns how to be strong through the novel. The group of misfits will go through H-E-double-hockey-sticks (middle grade so no swearing here!) to find the hidden treasure of gold to buy back Rossi's bike that Bo conveniently stole. They deal with a plethora (a large or excessive amount of (something) -- see what I did there?!) of problems including a cave collapsing, bats, mountain lion, javelina (ugly boar-like pigs, and they are ugly, I live in Arizona!); they deal with the extreme heat of Arizona, and risk everything to come together to fight against bully Bo.
Throughout the book, Ms. Bowling conveniently slips in vocabulary words that are interesting and fun and will help a young reader learn -- it's kind of like slipping vegetables into protein shake -- sneaky and effective! One of the best lines in the book, and something that brings home the whole message of the story was when Rossi spoke to Gus saying, "We're not what people have done to us Gus. We can be whoever we want." A charming book for adventure readers, this Arizona-based book is a great feel-good story that is equally entertaining and heartfelt! Perfect for boys and girls!
Throughout the book, Ms. Bowling conveniently slips in vocabulary words that are interesting and fun and will help a young reader learn -- it's kind of like slipping vegetables into protein shake -- sneaky and effective! One of the best lines in the book, and something that brings home the whole message of the story was when Rossi spoke to Gus saying, "We're not what people have done to us Gus. We can be whoever we want." A charming book for adventure readers, this Arizona-based book is a great feel-good story that is equally entertaining and heartfelt! Perfect for boys and girls!
May 2, 2018
I LOVED Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, and even though Dusti Bowling’s second book has a very different plot, characters, and structure, it’s just as great! Characters to fall in love with, witty dialogue, fascinating setting, and a super-fun plot. ❤️
April 27, 2018
Captivation: to attract and hold the attention or interest of, as by beauty or excellence
Even though it's been 24 hours since I finished reading 24 Hours in Nowhere I can't stop thinking about it! Dusti Bowling created a strong, engaging story full of rich characters. Readers will be transported to the desert and won't want to leave their new friends. I know I'd like to go back and spend more than just one day with Gus, Rossi, Matthew, and Jessie! This is the perfect book for fans of stories like Holes and Hoot.
Even though it's been 24 hours since I finished reading 24 Hours in Nowhere I can't stop thinking about it! Dusti Bowling created a strong, engaging story full of rich characters. Readers will be transported to the desert and won't want to leave their new friends. I know I'd like to go back and spend more than just one day with Gus, Rossi, Matthew, and Jessie! This is the perfect book for fans of stories like Holes and Hoot.
August 31, 2018
This is such a good book and has life lessons for everyone. Gus lives in Nowhere, Arizona, with his grandmother. He has one friend, and a few enemies. He also has a secret crush, Rossi. The teens must learn to work together to try to defeat the bully, while they navigate new friendships. I appreciate the author, Dusty Bowling, giving me the opportunity to be an early reader in exchange for my fair and honest review.
November 10, 2018
I didn’t quite enjoy this one as much as Insignificant Events, but this adventure in the Arizona desert was a quick read, and touches on themes of bullying, personal insecurities, and standing up for what’s right. Ages 9 and up.
November 10, 2020
A heartwarming read that’s kinda like the breakfast club, but for 13 year olds. On a hunt for gold and facing life or death situations 4 teens learn about each other’s darkest moments and see each other’s bravery. It’ll make you laugh out loud and cheer for the underdogs.
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December 28, 2020Both funny and poignant, this middle grade adventure story about an unlikely band of friends who gets stuck in an abandoned mine on the hunt for gold and their quest to stand up to the worst bully in the 8th grade would make a great read for fans of HOLES.
February 11, 2023
Gus lives with his grandmother in Nowhere, Arizona, which is usually about as exciting as you might guess. But during this 24 hours, Gus gets bullied, fights for what is right, and faces a harrowing adventure in a cave. He also makes some unexpected friendships along the way. This is an excellent and fast middle grade read and the audio book was very entertaining.
March 17, 2018
Many thanks to Edelweiss Plus and the publisher for providing me with an advance eARC of this for review. All opinions are my own.
This was so good everyone. Sooooooo good. I had really high hopes for it after reading and loving Bowling's first novel Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus and this completely exceeded them. I loved that while it is still a MG novel that focuses on the power of friendship and what happens when you stick up for yourself and your friends, this one was even more. It was a feel good story wrapped up in an exciting adventure that takes a group of kids, who aren't even friends at first, into an abandoned mine in a mountain that has seen the deaths of multiple people. These kids survive a cave-in and then have to try to find their way out, all while also looking for gold (that they think is just a rumor) to try to bribe the town bully. Kids are going to love this. So will the adults in their lives. I can't recommend it enough. Bowling has taken the idea of adventure literature, infused it with heart and oomph, without tarnishing any of the recklessness of adventure.
This was so good everyone. Sooooooo good. I had really high hopes for it after reading and loving Bowling's first novel Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus and this completely exceeded them. I loved that while it is still a MG novel that focuses on the power of friendship and what happens when you stick up for yourself and your friends, this one was even more. It was a feel good story wrapped up in an exciting adventure that takes a group of kids, who aren't even friends at first, into an abandoned mine in a mountain that has seen the deaths of multiple people. These kids survive a cave-in and then have to try to find their way out, all while also looking for gold (that they think is just a rumor) to try to bribe the town bully. Kids are going to love this. So will the adults in their lives. I can't recommend it enough. Bowling has taken the idea of adventure literature, infused it with heart and oomph, without tarnishing any of the recklessness of adventure.
September 23, 2020
I loved this one just as much as Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, and can't wait for the sequel to that one. This is definitely an author to watch out for.
9/22/20 I reread this book today to discuss in my kid's book group. I didn't think I could love or enjoy it any more than I did the first time I read it, but I'm pretty sure I did. It's that good.
9/22/20 I reread this book today to discuss in my kid's book group. I didn't think I could love or enjoy it any more than I did the first time I read it, but I'm pretty sure I did. It's that good.
March 26, 2021
Loved this book as much as the Cactus series by this author. This story had adventure, dirt bike racing, treasure hunting, and misfits ( in their own estimation) who banded together against adversity. Add in the location in the desert at the Arizona border and the reader is in for a terrific tale. Although I am reading as adult, I would recommend to a 4th-5th grade reader.
May 4, 2021
Very rad 🤝🤝
October 12, 2018
Thirteen-year-old Gus is small for his age, but much smarter than most of his classmates. And he's hoping his good grades will be his ticket out of Nowhere, Arizona, a small boring, poverty-stricken trailer park town in the middle of, well, nowhere. Gus' size makes him an ideal target for bullying by the not-too-bright Bo Taylor; unfortunately, Gus' smarts don't always help him when it comes to Bo. Such is the case when Bo tries to force feed Gus with a Jumping Cholla cactus. Fortunately for Gus, Rossi Scott, a Tohono O'odham that Gus has a crush on comes along to save him, by offering Bo her beloved dirt bike, Loretta.
Feeling guilty about his safety costing Rossi her bike, Gus heads over to Bo's trailer to try and buy it back. But there's a big dirt bike race coming and without Loretta, Rossi doesn't stand a chance of beating Bo again. So Bo offers Gus a challenge - that Gus go into the Dead Frenchman Mine and bring back a big chuck of gold. Gus accepts the challenge even though he knows the mine is dangerous, that cave-ins have killed a number of gold seekers and coming out alive would be quite a feat.
While buying supplies, Gus runs in into his former old friend Jessie Navarros. When Jessie started hanging out with the other Mexican kids in school lunchroom, and speaking Spanish, Gus, who doesn't know Spanish, thought it was a pretty clear sign that Jessie was no longer wanted to be his friend. And yet, he feels compelled to tell him about the deal he made with Bo.
Later, just as Gus sets off for the mine, one of Bo's pals, Matthew Dufort, shows up. Matt has been ordered to accompany Gus into the mine to make sure he brings back a piece of real gold, not just a painted rock. Once inside the mine, they hear voices that turn out to be Rossi and Jessie, there to talk Gus out of the challenge and the mine. But Gus is determined.
No sooner does he start chiseling away, than he breaks though the wall that reveals another chamber in the cave. But then, they hear a rumbling sound and the old Dead Frenchman Mine does what old mines often do - it collapse around them. No one is killed, but with the entrance blocked, will the be able to find their way out? More importantly, will they actually find gold?
24 Hours in Nowhere has everything - excitement, humor, adventure, all contained in a dangerous setting. And it all happens within a 24 hour time frame, measured by Gus' watch, the only thing his dad ever gave him. All of these characteristics will hold a young readers attention, as will Gus' wry wit, and the vocabulary words he inserts in his first person narrative (preparation for the SATs - his real ticket out of Nowhere).
Bowling has also sensitively addressed some pretty intense themes - poverty, bullying, child abuse, child neglect, and prejudice - and somehow the hot, barren desert in which a collapsing mine is located seems the most appropriate setting, almost as though it were another character. But then I remember how beautiful the desert is when it is in bloom, and we see the characters in this novel also starting to bloom. Of course, a death-defying adventure could do that to a person. So Bowling also addresses themes hope, friendship, and personal growth in some of her characters.
I lived in Arizona for four years and I still love it, especially the desert, and I thought it especially clever that Bowling has taken one of Arizona's more popular historical legends - the Lost Dutchman Mine - and reworked it as the Dead Frenchman Mine.
24 Hours in Nowhere will definitely take young readers somewhere and it is really worth the trip.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was an ARC received from the publisher,
Feeling guilty about his safety costing Rossi her bike, Gus heads over to Bo's trailer to try and buy it back. But there's a big dirt bike race coming and without Loretta, Rossi doesn't stand a chance of beating Bo again. So Bo offers Gus a challenge - that Gus go into the Dead Frenchman Mine and bring back a big chuck of gold. Gus accepts the challenge even though he knows the mine is dangerous, that cave-ins have killed a number of gold seekers and coming out alive would be quite a feat.
While buying supplies, Gus runs in into his former old friend Jessie Navarros. When Jessie started hanging out with the other Mexican kids in school lunchroom, and speaking Spanish, Gus, who doesn't know Spanish, thought it was a pretty clear sign that Jessie was no longer wanted to be his friend. And yet, he feels compelled to tell him about the deal he made with Bo.
Later, just as Gus sets off for the mine, one of Bo's pals, Matthew Dufort, shows up. Matt has been ordered to accompany Gus into the mine to make sure he brings back a piece of real gold, not just a painted rock. Once inside the mine, they hear voices that turn out to be Rossi and Jessie, there to talk Gus out of the challenge and the mine. But Gus is determined.
No sooner does he start chiseling away, than he breaks though the wall that reveals another chamber in the cave. But then, they hear a rumbling sound and the old Dead Frenchman Mine does what old mines often do - it collapse around them. No one is killed, but with the entrance blocked, will the be able to find their way out? More importantly, will they actually find gold?
24 Hours in Nowhere has everything - excitement, humor, adventure, all contained in a dangerous setting. And it all happens within a 24 hour time frame, measured by Gus' watch, the only thing his dad ever gave him. All of these characteristics will hold a young readers attention, as will Gus' wry wit, and the vocabulary words he inserts in his first person narrative (preparation for the SATs - his real ticket out of Nowhere).
Bowling has also sensitively addressed some pretty intense themes - poverty, bullying, child abuse, child neglect, and prejudice - and somehow the hot, barren desert in which a collapsing mine is located seems the most appropriate setting, almost as though it were another character. But then I remember how beautiful the desert is when it is in bloom, and we see the characters in this novel also starting to bloom. Of course, a death-defying adventure could do that to a person. So Bowling also addresses themes hope, friendship, and personal growth in some of her characters.
I lived in Arizona for four years and I still love it, especially the desert, and I thought it especially clever that Bowling has taken one of Arizona's more popular historical legends - the Lost Dutchman Mine - and reworked it as the Dead Frenchman Mine.
24 Hours in Nowhere will definitely take young readers somewhere and it is really worth the trip.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was an ARC received from the publisher,
May 15, 2020
Don't read if you have not read the book. Also author (or whatever you want to be called by) please I'm begging you to read this! Plus I'm giving a great review up there on my star sheet and down here with my actual writing.XD (XD is a crossed eyed huge smiley face)
I loved pretty much all of 24 Hours In Nowhere. I know the back stories may be a little cheesy and stuff, but its cool. It could also very well happen in real life, like with Gus, and his dad feeling guilty not caring about him. :( Its not cool, I mean he's your son, I would hate to have a dad like that. Another example is when Mathew fell in the crack, which was in the mine, then they had to use the Twinkie filling to get him out. Which was weird for me, I know use your surviving elements. But Twinkie filling really?
It's kind of cheesy but those were a couple of bad things, now the good ones. I liked how Gus stood up for Rossi, Mathew, and Jessie. He even still got a broken nose but still got back up. I'm just saying: #IMPRESSIVE FOR A SHORT STACK!! LOL but it was cool and how he roasted Bo when Bo said: "Gus you're just a dumb piece of trailer trash". But the comeback from Gus was "Hey Bo we all live in trailers but you're the only trash round here". That was so coward becomes the titan!!!! So yeah, I got a huge kick out of that. I also yelled "Ooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Burned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GET ROASTED BO YOU NUB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I freaking yelled and be going like dancing that was epic!!
The book has quite a lot of personality and everything is super cool. I also like that they accomplished their goal and got the gold. But I hated it when Bo cheated even though it was expected. All he cared about was winning, when Bo blew out all the gas out of Loretta. I literally wanted to punch that spoiled brat in the face. Even though he had it bad with his dad and everything, it's his fault for taking that attitude from his dad and bullying others. He's taking it out on them when it's between him and his dad. He took it out on others when it was his responsibility. What we do when terrible things happen to us, that shows who we really are. He shouldn't have taken it out on Gus (Especially!!!!! Gus) and everyone else. He should have ignored his dad and not let his behavior get to him. So even BO himself deserved the loss, but Rossi did it in the most epic way. She used the place where everyone usually falls off their dirt bike to throw all this dirt all over Bo and he couldn't see. That my friends is #EPIC!!!!!! She was injured but she won. While Bo? Let's just say, he was full because of all of Rossi's dust he had to eat LOL XD!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) I'm thinking about how Rossi's dad was so confident in Rossi. I think all of her winning might have rubbed off on him.
I loved this book and I would recommend it to everybody in range of age 7-20 because of the rude humor, gun shots, and everything like that. Especially Jessie's suggestion about peeing on Mathew to get him outta that hole!! Also the broken nose and body parts stuff is just weird. Anyway it might get a little disrespectful, if not boring, for the elderly of over age 20. Now I'm not saying anything mean about old people, it's just a guess of happiness to reading, and the younger the better because they will probably get the better kick out of the story. Especially because the main characters are kids. Anyways I hope you: READ THE REVIEW AND LOVE THE BOOK BYEEEEE!!!!!!!!! :) P.S. I WOULD GIVE IT UP TO 20 STARS IF I COULD LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
I loved pretty much all of 24 Hours In Nowhere. I know the back stories may be a little cheesy and stuff, but its cool. It could also very well happen in real life, like with Gus, and his dad feeling guilty not caring about him. :( Its not cool, I mean he's your son, I would hate to have a dad like that. Another example is when Mathew fell in the crack, which was in the mine, then they had to use the Twinkie filling to get him out. Which was weird for me, I know use your surviving elements. But Twinkie filling really?
It's kind of cheesy but those were a couple of bad things, now the good ones. I liked how Gus stood up for Rossi, Mathew, and Jessie. He even still got a broken nose but still got back up. I'm just saying: #IMPRESSIVE FOR A SHORT STACK!! LOL but it was cool and how he roasted Bo when Bo said: "Gus you're just a dumb piece of trailer trash". But the comeback from Gus was "Hey Bo we all live in trailers but you're the only trash round here". That was so coward becomes the titan!!!! So yeah, I got a huge kick out of that. I also yelled "Ooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Burned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GET ROASTED BO YOU NUB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I freaking yelled and be going like dancing that was epic!!
The book has quite a lot of personality and everything is super cool. I also like that they accomplished their goal and got the gold. But I hated it when Bo cheated even though it was expected. All he cared about was winning, when Bo blew out all the gas out of Loretta. I literally wanted to punch that spoiled brat in the face. Even though he had it bad with his dad and everything, it's his fault for taking that attitude from his dad and bullying others. He's taking it out on them when it's between him and his dad. He took it out on others when it was his responsibility. What we do when terrible things happen to us, that shows who we really are. He shouldn't have taken it out on Gus (Especially!!!!! Gus) and everyone else. He should have ignored his dad and not let his behavior get to him. So even BO himself deserved the loss, but Rossi did it in the most epic way. She used the place where everyone usually falls off their dirt bike to throw all this dirt all over Bo and he couldn't see. That my friends is #EPIC!!!!!! She was injured but she won. While Bo? Let's just say, he was full because of all of Rossi's dust he had to eat LOL XD!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) I'm thinking about how Rossi's dad was so confident in Rossi. I think all of her winning might have rubbed off on him.
I loved this book and I would recommend it to everybody in range of age 7-20 because of the rude humor, gun shots, and everything like that. Especially Jessie's suggestion about peeing on Mathew to get him outta that hole!! Also the broken nose and body parts stuff is just weird. Anyway it might get a little disrespectful, if not boring, for the elderly of over age 20. Now I'm not saying anything mean about old people, it's just a guess of happiness to reading, and the younger the better because they will probably get the better kick out of the story. Especially because the main characters are kids. Anyways I hope you: READ THE REVIEW AND LOVE THE BOOK BYEEEEE!!!!!!!!! :) P.S. I WOULD GIVE IT UP TO 20 STARS IF I COULD LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
January 4, 2019
Thank you to the author and @kidlitexchange for sharing the copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh, my, when you read this book be ready to be transplanted into the middle of a southwestern desert. You will not only be surrounded by dust and wind and swirling tumbleweed, you will be sweltering in the sun and desperately craving cold water and air conditioned air. You will sense the feeling of hopelessness of 90 percent of the residents of Nowhere who would rather be anyplace else, but have little hope of ever getting out. Because after all, Nowhere, Arizona, has the lowest graduation rate in the country, as well as extreme poverty, and has been declared the least liveable town in the U.S. 🌵
I really like the window this story provides the readers into life in an example of one of the poorest towns in the Arizona desert. Even though Nowhere is a fictional town, middle graders need to understand that towns such as this exist.
🌵
Nowhere also has some families who are striving to make a difference in the community, even if it is at the cost of their own children. Luckily, two of Gus’s friends come from these hard working families, and their loyalty and perseverance save Gus and each other during their adventure in a terrifying, abandoned mine in the desert. 🌵
This adventure story, which takes place in 24 short hours in the Arizona desert, will have you on the edge of your seat, and you definitely won’t want to stop reading. You’ll admire the strong families who fiercely support each other, even in the midst of poverty, the friendships and the strength Gus and his friends find they have (much to their surprise) as they use teamwork and ingenuity to save themselves during their adventure to find a treasure. 🌵
I highly recommend this be added to all libraries. It’s the perfect book for readers looking for adventure, as well as for those looking for a book about loyalty and friendship. Library friends, you’ll want to add this to your fall order NOW and definitely order multiple copies! This will be released 9/4/18.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh, my, when you read this book be ready to be transplanted into the middle of a southwestern desert. You will not only be surrounded by dust and wind and swirling tumbleweed, you will be sweltering in the sun and desperately craving cold water and air conditioned air. You will sense the feeling of hopelessness of 90 percent of the residents of Nowhere who would rather be anyplace else, but have little hope of ever getting out. Because after all, Nowhere, Arizona, has the lowest graduation rate in the country, as well as extreme poverty, and has been declared the least liveable town in the U.S. 🌵
I really like the window this story provides the readers into life in an example of one of the poorest towns in the Arizona desert. Even though Nowhere is a fictional town, middle graders need to understand that towns such as this exist.
🌵
Nowhere also has some families who are striving to make a difference in the community, even if it is at the cost of their own children. Luckily, two of Gus’s friends come from these hard working families, and their loyalty and perseverance save Gus and each other during their adventure in a terrifying, abandoned mine in the desert. 🌵
This adventure story, which takes place in 24 short hours in the Arizona desert, will have you on the edge of your seat, and you definitely won’t want to stop reading. You’ll admire the strong families who fiercely support each other, even in the midst of poverty, the friendships and the strength Gus and his friends find they have (much to their surprise) as they use teamwork and ingenuity to save themselves during their adventure to find a treasure. 🌵
I highly recommend this be added to all libraries. It’s the perfect book for readers looking for adventure, as well as for those looking for a book about loyalty and friendship. Library friends, you’ll want to add this to your fall order NOW and definitely order multiple copies! This will be released 9/4/18.
September 24, 2018
@dustibowling has done it again and I know my students will love meeting and getting to know Gus, Rossi, Jessie and Matthew.
Gus lives in Nowhere Arizona where poverty and low academics reign high. Gus is the strongest student in Nowhere but is constantly at the mercy of a bully named Bo. When yet another incident of Bo tormenting Gus (this time trying to force Gus to eat a cacti)takes an unexpected turn which set the plot in motion. Rossi a loner dirt bike rider offers to give up her bike to Bo if he’ll leave Gus alone. Bo takes Rossi up in her offer since she has been the only one who comes close to beating Bo in the weekly dirt bike races.
Gus is determined to get the bike back for her in time to race for a chance to win a new bike and time at a camp. The only way Bo will give the bike up is if Gus enters Dead Frenchman’s Mine and finds a piece of the missing gold that has been part of the mysterious stories told about the mine and if course Gus accepts.
The story then becomes part of a mystery that needs to be unraveled.
Jessie and Matthew have connections to the story as it is their great grandparents who were partners once and under suspect circumstances were said to have shot one another and stolen the gold for themselves but were never seen again.
The four characters come together to try and find the gold and end up trying to put the pieces together to find the truth about what happened. The characters reminded me of the Stranger Thing friends and as noted by other reviewers Louis Sachar’s Holes. I enjoyed reading and believe students will enjoy getting to know the four characters and how they work together to solve problems and find answers.
@dustibowling has left the door open for this foursome to have another adventure and I for one would look forward to reading whatever was in store for them.
Gus lives in Nowhere Arizona where poverty and low academics reign high. Gus is the strongest student in Nowhere but is constantly at the mercy of a bully named Bo. When yet another incident of Bo tormenting Gus (this time trying to force Gus to eat a cacti)takes an unexpected turn which set the plot in motion. Rossi a loner dirt bike rider offers to give up her bike to Bo if he’ll leave Gus alone. Bo takes Rossi up in her offer since she has been the only one who comes close to beating Bo in the weekly dirt bike races.
Gus is determined to get the bike back for her in time to race for a chance to win a new bike and time at a camp. The only way Bo will give the bike up is if Gus enters Dead Frenchman’s Mine and finds a piece of the missing gold that has been part of the mysterious stories told about the mine and if course Gus accepts.
The story then becomes part of a mystery that needs to be unraveled.
Jessie and Matthew have connections to the story as it is their great grandparents who were partners once and under suspect circumstances were said to have shot one another and stolen the gold for themselves but were never seen again.
The four characters come together to try and find the gold and end up trying to put the pieces together to find the truth about what happened. The characters reminded me of the Stranger Thing friends and as noted by other reviewers Louis Sachar’s Holes. I enjoyed reading and believe students will enjoy getting to know the four characters and how they work together to solve problems and find answers.
@dustibowling has left the door open for this foursome to have another adventure and I for one would look forward to reading whatever was in store for them.
February 2, 2020
Highly recommended YA set in the lost desert landscape of Nowhere, Arizona where author Dusti Bowling sets out to remedy her hankering to write a good ol’ fashioned treasure hunt. Gus is not cut out to be the brawn of the middle school crowd. Brains, yes, but not the muscle. Yet, he can’t help himself get into it with Bo, the local trailer terrorist. Actually, most of them live in trailers or run down homes since Nowhere is exactly that—in the middle of nowhere I and nowhere people would want to visit or live. The only thing worth looking forward to for the local kids is the dirt bike races, and that’s exactly what Gus has screwed up. When Bo shoves Gus’s face into a cactus, Rossi puts an end to it, trading her dirt bike for mercy. Gus is instantly awash with guilt. Rossi’s the best rider in town, and without her bike, she won’t be able to win the race tomorrow. And the die is cast. Gus strikes a deal with the devil (Bo) for the bike’s return. He must retrieve gold from the Dead Frenchman’s Mine or forever live with his regret. Read together with my son, the book contains terrific vocabulary, wonderfully written merits on friendship, lessons on judgment and an altogether fun and action filled story reminiscent of the Goonies in some small ways.
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