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No Place Like Home
Sweeping in scope and timeless in tone, No Place like Home is a middle-grade portal fantasy unlike any other
Lan, a teenager who recently came to Canada from Vietnam, spends every day searching for a sense of belonging. Books are the only things that make her feel at ease. But it comes as a shock when a mysterious wind whisks her right into the pages of her latest fantasy read. More shocking still is the fact that she herself summoned this wind!
Plunged into the magical world of Silva, Lan realizes she has much to offer protagonists Annabelle and Marlow. Once a homesick reader and bystander rooting for the very characters that now stand before her, Lan is a budding witch who suddenly has the power to help their quest. Somewhere inside her lies the ability to not only save Annabelle and Marlow's home, but also to shape a familiar tale into something new.
As Lan faces off against tree guardians, moving corn mazes, heart-eaters and thoughtless kings, she finds that Silva is not so different from Toronto: new homes can be messy. Now, torn between several places at once, Lan begins to confront an important question: how do you redefine a lost home?
Lan, a teenager who recently came to Canada from Vietnam, spends every day searching for a sense of belonging. Books are the only things that make her feel at ease. But it comes as a shock when a mysterious wind whisks her right into the pages of her latest fantasy read. More shocking still is the fact that she herself summoned this wind!
Plunged into the magical world of Silva, Lan realizes she has much to offer protagonists Annabelle and Marlow. Once a homesick reader and bystander rooting for the very characters that now stand before her, Lan is a budding witch who suddenly has the power to help their quest. Somewhere inside her lies the ability to not only save Annabelle and Marlow's home, but also to shape a familiar tale into something new.
As Lan faces off against tree guardians, moving corn mazes, heart-eaters and thoughtless kings, she finds that Silva is not so different from Toronto: new homes can be messy. Now, torn between several places at once, Lan begins to confront an important question: how do you redefine a lost home?
256 pages, Paperback
Published March 14, 2023
7 people are currently reading
2102 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 14, 2022
Writing the first draft of this book for NaNoWriMo 2018 was the greatest act of faith. Time and hope kept my debut alive years before I had any guarantee that someone else would read it. In many ways, it is dedicated to those who subsist off dreams and Longing: forces powerful enough to tears open realms and draw us into other worlds. Lan is an echo of 11-year-old me (albeit a much better athlete), and I hope others will relate to how lost and lonely—but also curious and open to wonder—she felt as an immigrant child trying to make sense of a scattered home.
September 28, 2022
"Once upon a time in Silva, the land of lost and found, a powerful king named his price of admission."
In No Place Like Home, we follow Lan, an intrepid eleven year old girl eager for her adventure to begin. Having recently moved to Canada, Lan escapes into books to forget her disappointments in her new surroundings and keep at bay her heartache for her previous home in Vietnam. But to her shock, which quickly morphs into delight, Lan is swept up by a magical wind that transports her into her latest novel. What ensues is a fast-paced adventure filled with nods to familiar literary motifs combined with refreshing conceptions of magic and portal fantasies.
"It doesn't make sense. Home shouldn't be pieces. It should be a big solid thing! For me, it's all scattered."
This debut novel is undeniably a delightful and satisfying page-turner. Still, what I loved most about this read is how I was able to relate deeply to the main character. Like Lan, I also immigrated to Toronto at a young age and felt the internal struggle that comes with trying to adapt to an unfamiliar context and wanting to do so as independently as possible so as not to burden your parents who are facing their own obstacles. Also like Lan, as a kid, I adored libraries because they were filled with all the books I could want, and by extension, filled with all the experiences I longed for but couldn't pursue myself. I'm thrilled for this generation of young people who will get to have their diasporic experiences embodied in a bold and admirable protagonist like Lan.
In No Place Like Home, we follow Lan, an intrepid eleven year old girl eager for her adventure to begin. Having recently moved to Canada, Lan escapes into books to forget her disappointments in her new surroundings and keep at bay her heartache for her previous home in Vietnam. But to her shock, which quickly morphs into delight, Lan is swept up by a magical wind that transports her into her latest novel. What ensues is a fast-paced adventure filled with nods to familiar literary motifs combined with refreshing conceptions of magic and portal fantasies.
"It doesn't make sense. Home shouldn't be pieces. It should be a big solid thing! For me, it's all scattered."
This debut novel is undeniably a delightful and satisfying page-turner. Still, what I loved most about this read is how I was able to relate deeply to the main character. Like Lan, I also immigrated to Toronto at a young age and felt the internal struggle that comes with trying to adapt to an unfamiliar context and wanting to do so as independently as possible so as not to burden your parents who are facing their own obstacles. Also like Lan, as a kid, I adored libraries because they were filled with all the books I could want, and by extension, filled with all the experiences I longed for but couldn't pursue myself. I'm thrilled for this generation of young people who will get to have their diasporic experiences embodied in a bold and admirable protagonist like Lan.
March 16, 2023
This book - where to begin? Linh is an incredibly talented author and her kind heart and brave soul shine through the story. It’s a beautifully written tale that takes you on an adventure and has you cheering for the main characters the whole time. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t fit in or know where your home is, you will see yourself in this story. I already can’t wait to read it again!
April 24, 2023
This book tugged on my heartstrings relentlessly.
Lan’s hero’s journey through the magical world of Silva was sweet and thoughtful and tense in all the right places. The stunning language and imagery was captivating.
Lan’s struggle to define home after moving from Vietnam to Canada (and beyond) feels so honest and real; it’s hard not to be swept away by the same emotions she’s grappling with.
I hope we get to visit Silva again!
Lan’s hero’s journey through the magical world of Silva was sweet and thoughtful and tense in all the right places. The stunning language and imagery was captivating.
Lan’s struggle to define home after moving from Vietnam to Canada (and beyond) feels so honest and real; it’s hard not to be swept away by the same emotions she’s grappling with.
I hope we get to visit Silva again!
March 31, 2023
No Place Like Home whisks a lonely immigrant teenager into the enchanted world of Silva, where she must undertake a dangerous magical quest and find her way “home” 🌻
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½
I love the premise of No Place Like Home: a girl wanting to be part of a fantasy story suddenly finds herself drawn into one and discovers that she is a witch no less! It is surely many a fantasy-reader’s dream to be among their favourite fictional characters completing a fantastical quest, and it feels wonderful to experience this with Lan as she’s swept from her Toronto basement apartment to the magical world of Silva. It’s also fun to explore Silva with Lan and her new companions Annabelle and Marlow as they make their arduous trek to the capital to ask the King to reverse the magical spell ruining Annabelle’s homeland. The peculiar beings they meet along the way are especially intriguing. In fact, I would have liked to read more about the lives of the inhabitants of this alternate world!
No Place Like Home really shines when it’s describing the world of Silva and the unique magic that floats through the air there. Though the magic is generally invisible, witches can sense it and need only reach out their hands to feel it coursing through their fingers. It’s exciting to learn where this magic comes from, and read about Lan’s experiments with it as she develops her powers as a witch! I also enjoy how Vietnamese culture and language are brought into the book through Lan’s memories of home. This helps you to realize how hard it must be for Lan to face daily challenges as an immigrant in a new country and what a welcome escape Silva must be for her.
Aside from Lan, however, the book’s characters do not always seem convincing. Marlow in particular is rather flat, and he seems to exist mostly as Lan’s love interest. Although Annabelle on the whole seems more real, her tendency to continually break down in tears feels exaggerated, especially since Marlow, by contrast, is almost emotionless. The three characters make a questionable decision near the end of the book which is seen as “incredible” but which one cannot help but think could easily have resulted in disaster. The story wraps up quickly afterwards with a straightforward resolution. One thing that especially bothered me about the story was how the main characters keep hurting and killing Silva’s creatures and magical beings (such as tree guardians and magical crows) in order to pass without permission through their territories, among other things. This is sad and you can’t help thinking that Silva is being harmed as well as helped by these three adventurers. It would have been more fun if they had made more use of their wits and less use of their weapons.
No Place Like Home‘s story about a Vietnamese girl trying to make a place for herself in two new worlds – the everyday world of Canada and the magical world of Silva – has a lot of appeal, but flaws like occasionally flat characterization and a tendency to kill off magical beings when they stand in the main characters’ way detract from the reader’s enjoyment.
Read my full review and get recommendations for similar books here: https://href.li/?https://newkidontheb... 💫
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½
I love the premise of No Place Like Home: a girl wanting to be part of a fantasy story suddenly finds herself drawn into one and discovers that she is a witch no less! It is surely many a fantasy-reader’s dream to be among their favourite fictional characters completing a fantastical quest, and it feels wonderful to experience this with Lan as she’s swept from her Toronto basement apartment to the magical world of Silva. It’s also fun to explore Silva with Lan and her new companions Annabelle and Marlow as they make their arduous trek to the capital to ask the King to reverse the magical spell ruining Annabelle’s homeland. The peculiar beings they meet along the way are especially intriguing. In fact, I would have liked to read more about the lives of the inhabitants of this alternate world!
No Place Like Home really shines when it’s describing the world of Silva and the unique magic that floats through the air there. Though the magic is generally invisible, witches can sense it and need only reach out their hands to feel it coursing through their fingers. It’s exciting to learn where this magic comes from, and read about Lan’s experiments with it as she develops her powers as a witch! I also enjoy how Vietnamese culture and language are brought into the book through Lan’s memories of home. This helps you to realize how hard it must be for Lan to face daily challenges as an immigrant in a new country and what a welcome escape Silva must be for her.
Aside from Lan, however, the book’s characters do not always seem convincing. Marlow in particular is rather flat, and he seems to exist mostly as Lan’s love interest. Although Annabelle on the whole seems more real, her tendency to continually break down in tears feels exaggerated, especially since Marlow, by contrast, is almost emotionless. The three characters make a questionable decision near the end of the book which is seen as “incredible” but which one cannot help but think could easily have resulted in disaster. The story wraps up quickly afterwards with a straightforward resolution. One thing that especially bothered me about the story was how the main characters keep hurting and killing Silva’s creatures and magical beings (such as tree guardians and magical crows) in order to pass without permission through their territories, among other things. This is sad and you can’t help thinking that Silva is being harmed as well as helped by these three adventurers. It would have been more fun if they had made more use of their wits and less use of their weapons.
No Place Like Home‘s story about a Vietnamese girl trying to make a place for herself in two new worlds – the everyday world of Canada and the magical world of Silva – has a lot of appeal, but flaws like occasionally flat characterization and a tendency to kill off magical beings when they stand in the main characters’ way detract from the reader’s enjoyment.
Read my full review and get recommendations for similar books here: https://href.li/?https://newkidontheb... 💫
September 24, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley & Inkyard Publishing for this arc!
No Place Like Home follows a Vietnamese girl named Lan struggling to find her place in her new home of Toronto, Canada. One day at a school library sale, Lan finds a mysterious book that seems to call for her to read. Little does Lan know that this book is like no other. Instead, she will be transported into a magical world where the story she is reading is not only true, but she may be the key to the happy ending.
I really liked the concept of this book. As a fan of the Wizard of Oz, I loved seeing the rather subtle mentions of the inspired text. I also liked the connection to the magical world of Silva and Lan’s home of Vietnam.
Unfortunately, I had a really hard time reading this. I never felt truly connected to the characters and found the friendship between the kids to be hard to believe. I feel like this book is more so for the younger range of Middle Grade. Lan was very quick to immediately accept the fact that she was teleported into the novel she was reading. I think a middle grader would even question that.
However, I did enjoy the parts of the book set in the forest with the nymphs and centaurs. I just wish we got more of that throughout the entire book.
Overall, I do think this would be enjoyable for many kids especially if they like fantasy worlds! I don’t think my opinions of the book should be taken without a grain of salt considering I am an adult reading a children's novel!
No Place Like Home follows a Vietnamese girl named Lan struggling to find her place in her new home of Toronto, Canada. One day at a school library sale, Lan finds a mysterious book that seems to call for her to read. Little does Lan know that this book is like no other. Instead, she will be transported into a magical world where the story she is reading is not only true, but she may be the key to the happy ending.
I really liked the concept of this book. As a fan of the Wizard of Oz, I loved seeing the rather subtle mentions of the inspired text. I also liked the connection to the magical world of Silva and Lan’s home of Vietnam.
Unfortunately, I had a really hard time reading this. I never felt truly connected to the characters and found the friendship between the kids to be hard to believe. I feel like this book is more so for the younger range of Middle Grade. Lan was very quick to immediately accept the fact that she was teleported into the novel she was reading. I think a middle grader would even question that.
However, I did enjoy the parts of the book set in the forest with the nymphs and centaurs. I just wish we got more of that throughout the entire book.
Overall, I do think this would be enjoyable for many kids especially if they like fantasy worlds! I don’t think my opinions of the book should be taken without a grain of salt considering I am an adult reading a children's novel!
March 19, 2023
Linh has a talent for filling her world up with descriptive imagery; delicious Vietnamese food and plant morphology. What I particularly admired about this book was the understanding the psyche of someone who been displaced from one place to another. The wisdom it takes to let go and move onward. It’s not easy and Linh captures that flawlessly.
There are many clear parallels between this story and Oz and Narnia but with more color, magic, and diversity. I think that journey was more about the emotional journey of constructing a home or a sense of place than the adventure itself. Not that the adventure wasn’t pleasant and entertaining.
I look forward to reading what else she writes in the years ahead. Which I sense could mean that there will be a sequel to this book.
There are many clear parallels between this story and Oz and Narnia but with more color, magic, and diversity. I think that journey was more about the emotional journey of constructing a home or a sense of place than the adventure itself. Not that the adventure wasn’t pleasant and entertaining.
I look forward to reading what else she writes in the years ahead. Which I sense could mean that there will be a sequel to this book.
November 5, 2023
Wow. This book was a beautiful exploration of what is meant by ‘home’, through the perspective of a Vietnamese child - Lan - who finds herself displaced in Toronto and, later, in the magical world of Silva. It explores ideas of immigration, family, liminality, friendship, agency, and desire which intersect with one another beautifully throughout the narrative. I don’t want to spoil the story, but suffice it to say I truly cannot wait to read more from this author!!
November 9, 2023
My 9 year old daughter and I read this together and absolutely loved it. A beautiful story about learning to trust yourself, and that home can be more than a place. Highly recommend for middle school-aged kids.
January 14, 2024
This book was a great book overall with important lessons. Would recommend to anyone who likes The Land Of Stories!
March 29, 2023
This book is a fun, easy read! A classic fantasy quest with likeable characters and tons of adventure! I can't wait to share this book with my daughter!
March 7, 2023
All books change the minute they touch a reader.
In Linh Nguyen’s debut novel, Lan, a recent transplant to Toronto, struggles to find her place, retreating into the comfort of written stories. She longs for her mother and little brother, who are held up in Vietnam, and yearns for belonging in her new home. As it turns out, when one is a witch at heart, sometimes Hope and Longing when bound together in a special book can open a portal into a magical world, where one can change the story on the pages and write their own.
No Place Like Home is a fast-paced and heartwarming story with a host of colourful characters, which I consumed in a single sitting, eager to learn what awaits the heroes on the next page. The novel has a hopeful quality, reminding the reader that where imagination is bound with determination or, more specifically, when one has “heart, courage in large supply, and a good story”, no obstacle is immovable. What especially stood out to me however, was a thoughtful and profound examination of the immigrant’s complex relationship with the concept of home, which “is all scattered”. As an immigrant myself, I felt that the book faithfully captured the web of emotions that connect one to places left and places found.
Overall, the book is a thoroughly charming adventure coupled with a subtle social commentary, steeped in a vivid imagery of the surrounding world. A true delight for any reader.
The sky was a clear blue, and salty air lingered on the edges of her awareness. Her fingers brushed the grass and stems of dandelions dotting the green. Some were blooming golden with life. Others were silver and soft, ripe for wishing.
In Linh Nguyen’s debut novel, Lan, a recent transplant to Toronto, struggles to find her place, retreating into the comfort of written stories. She longs for her mother and little brother, who are held up in Vietnam, and yearns for belonging in her new home. As it turns out, when one is a witch at heart, sometimes Hope and Longing when bound together in a special book can open a portal into a magical world, where one can change the story on the pages and write their own.
No Place Like Home is a fast-paced and heartwarming story with a host of colourful characters, which I consumed in a single sitting, eager to learn what awaits the heroes on the next page. The novel has a hopeful quality, reminding the reader that where imagination is bound with determination or, more specifically, when one has “heart, courage in large supply, and a good story”, no obstacle is immovable. What especially stood out to me however, was a thoughtful and profound examination of the immigrant’s complex relationship with the concept of home, which “is all scattered”. As an immigrant myself, I felt that the book faithfully captured the web of emotions that connect one to places left and places found.
Overall, the book is a thoroughly charming adventure coupled with a subtle social commentary, steeped in a vivid imagery of the surrounding world. A true delight for any reader.
The sky was a clear blue, and salty air lingered on the edges of her awareness. Her fingers brushed the grass and stems of dandelions dotting the green. Some were blooming golden with life. Others were silver and soft, ripe for wishing.
December 4, 2024
I really enjoyed this solid MG portal fantasy novel.
Lan and her dad recently moved to Toronto, and as they wait for the rest of their family to arrive, Lan is miserable. Nothing is the same, and she finds trouble fitting in at school. But when she attends a school book fair and finds a mysterious book, she is transported to a magical world and must find her way back home.
The worldbuilding of this book is what resonated most with me. The magical world of Silva had a unique magic system that wasn't overly complex, and I got plenty of pauses in the pages to fully understand each unique ecosystem and the types of people and creatures that were presented.
Extra kudos for the nod to Vietnamese culture that Lan occasionally refers to.
Lan herself is on the cusp of adolescence and battles with self-confidence and doing the right thing. Her story was simple but very relatable to younger readers. Marlow and Annabelle are her partners throughout her journey, and they each had distinct personalities and complimented each other through the trials they faced.
The pacing and plot of this book was well balanced, mixing magic and action with personal developments along the way. If you are in need of an escape from reality I highly recommend this read!
Lan and her dad recently moved to Toronto, and as they wait for the rest of their family to arrive, Lan is miserable. Nothing is the same, and she finds trouble fitting in at school. But when she attends a school book fair and finds a mysterious book, she is transported to a magical world and must find her way back home.
The worldbuilding of this book is what resonated most with me. The magical world of Silva had a unique magic system that wasn't overly complex, and I got plenty of pauses in the pages to fully understand each unique ecosystem and the types of people and creatures that were presented.
Extra kudos for the nod to Vietnamese culture that Lan occasionally refers to.
Lan herself is on the cusp of adolescence and battles with self-confidence and doing the right thing. Her story was simple but very relatable to younger readers. Marlow and Annabelle are her partners throughout her journey, and they each had distinct personalities and complimented each other through the trials they faced.
The pacing and plot of this book was well balanced, mixing magic and action with personal developments along the way. If you are in need of an escape from reality I highly recommend this read!
September 17, 2025
At first, No Place Like Home felt like a modern NeverEnding Story—lonely bookworm, magical portal, missing parent—but I was wrong. I quickly grew to love Lan and her new friends, Annabelle and Marlow. I’m a sucker for friendship quests, and this one hit the mark.
Their flaws made them real—Annabelle’s tough edge, Marlow’s gentle heart, and Lan’s quiet concern, especially for nature. My favorite chapter, “Stray Witch in Silva,” wasn’t about action but heart. It beautifully showcased the trio’s growth, love, and layered personalities.
My only critique: the characters sound older than 11–14. The themes and writing are perfect for middle grade, but their voices felt more teen. Still, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment.
A wonderful portal fantasy for kids who love stories about friendship, growth, and magic. I’m glad I found this one.
Their flaws made them real—Annabelle’s tough edge, Marlow’s gentle heart, and Lan’s quiet concern, especially for nature. My favorite chapter, “Stray Witch in Silva,” wasn’t about action but heart. It beautifully showcased the trio’s growth, love, and layered personalities.
My only critique: the characters sound older than 11–14. The themes and writing are perfect for middle grade, but their voices felt more teen. Still, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment.
A wonderful portal fantasy for kids who love stories about friendship, growth, and magic. I’m glad I found this one.
December 1, 2024
I'd like to say my reading dates for No Place Like Home are wrong, but sadly, they are not. It took me three months of reading this novel off and on to finally finish. Because of that I barely understand the plot and can barely explain what happened in this book! I didn't find it overly engaging or easy to follow initially, hence why I'd go through spells of ignoring it.
Complaining aside, perhaps young fantasy readers will enjoy this simplistic middle grade novel.
No Place Like Home is a 2025 MYRCA Sundogs nominee.
Complaining aside, perhaps young fantasy readers will enjoy this simplistic middle grade novel.
No Place Like Home is a 2025 MYRCA Sundogs nominee.
March 20, 2023
This debut novel is a fun fantasy novel for the middle grade reader. Lan is an eleven year old Vietnam immigrant. When she falls asleep reading a fantasy novel, she wakes up to a storm and finds herself teleported to the land in the book. Their she finds out she has witch powers and agrees to help others in their quest to get help from the king. It is an exciting adventure and an entertaining and easy read that encourages kids to believe in themselves. I enjoyed it.
April 22, 2023
This book really touched me! It is a immigrant story in which the main character finds her place. On her adventure, Lan finds her courage and strength - which in turn helps her to face her new situation in Toronto. I loved this magical story full of adventure and supporting friendships. No Place Like Home is a read I would have loved when I was 10 years old - and it is one, I believe, young readers of today would enjoy.
December 1, 2023
Well written children's fantasy. An entertaining tale of magic and friendship with lots of adventures. Excellent descriptions- you could almost see them as they happened. Thank you to HarperCollins and Goodreads for the opportunity to review this book.
December 6, 2023
I liked the homesick Lan and how she worked on her magic, although the magic system seemed rather unexplained and flexible plot wise. I liked the two fantasy friends. But sometimes the writing seemed to skip a step or assume an emotional step was complete before it happened.
I received an ecopy of this book for review.
I received an ecopy of this book for review.
January 15, 2023
4.5/5 stars. A charming young middle grade portal fantasy. While not the most unique premise, it was still a very enjoyable cozy read.
May 25, 2023
This book was an adventure with so much heart and imagination. Loved the worldbuilding and Lan, Annabelle and Marlow
June 13, 2023
This was a wonderful story full of magic, adventure, and discovering where home really is.
Middle graders will love this novel!
Middle graders will love this novel!
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November 1, 2023Young Adult Social Issues, Young Adult Action & Adventure, Young Adult Fantasy & Magic
January 12, 2024
4.25 stars
March 19, 2024
I wanted to like this one so much more than I did, but I just never really connected to it or cared too much. 😢
March 27, 2024
For the love of books and the book fair.
📚🏜️🌿🗡️
📚🏜️🌿🗡️
August 3, 2024
This was one of the better stories we received from Owlcrate jr. My daughter and I both liked it even though I would have enjoyed a more thorough epilogue.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews