WELCOME TO NOWHERE

Omar and his family are forced to flee their home and navigate the treacherous landscape of war-torn Syria.

The story begins in Bosra, a vibrant city where witty and charming 12-year-old Omar enjoys a relatively comfortable life with his parents and siblings. He dislikes school and daydreams of becoming a successful businessman. But Omar’s world is turned upside down as political unrest spreads across the country. When a bomb destroys his family’s apartment, they are forced to leave, marking the start of their painful journey as refugees. They first seek safety with relatives in a village, but trouble follows them as Musa, Omar’s older brother who has cerebral palsy, starts filming the political protests. The family decides to make the dangerous journey to Jordan, where they settle in the Za’atari refugee camp, a place Omar finds desperately boring. Their new lives are unforgiving and dehumanizing, and resources are scarce, but Omar and his family make the best of what they have. Laird’s empathetic storytelling, supported by Eldridge’s evocative art, is accessible and inviting for a wide range of readers. The character development is particularly noteworthy: Omar’s growth from a carefree boy to a responsible young adult is believable and inspiring, and he never loses his charm. Cultural and historical details provide insights into Syria and its people.

A compassionate, heart-wrenching work that helps readers understand the profound losses people suffer during wartime.