Nowhere Boy by Katherine Marsh

 

Yesterday, I finished reading Nowhere Boy by Katherine Marsh. This realistic fiction novel is about two boys who find themselves in Brussels, Belgium. For Ahmed, he has recently traveled from Syria to escape the bombings and lost his father on the dangerous journey. Nobody wants anything to do with a Muslim boy and he can't find anyone to trust. The other boy, Max, is an American who doesn't want to go to a school where instruction is in French and he is harassed by a bully. When Ahmed seeks shelter in the wine cellar of Max's house, Max discovers him and they decide to befriend each other. After the horrific terror attacks in Paris, and then in Brussels itself, it becomes harder and harder to hide Ahmed. Despite the odds, Ahmed and Max learn courage from each other and work together to change Ahmed's future.

I thought this book was amazing because it was so full of friendship and hope and the plot twists added suspense. I liked how Ahmed and Max were very different, but at the same time, they were similar in their loneliness and related to each other despite their differences. Although Nowhere Boy started slow, the last part of the book was exhilarating and I had to know if Ahmed would be able to go to school and have a better life. This book is great for building compassion for those who are different because it examines the effects of racism and xenophobia, the fear of foreigners. It was also striking to see the similarities between America after 9/11 and Europe after the 2015-2016 terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels. Additionally, the book interweaves the real life story of a Jewish boy, Ralph Mayer, and the man who helped hide him during the Holocaust, Albert Jonnart. This story of a real life hero really adds to the plot because it's what inspires Max to break the rules and help Ahmed. At the end of the book, there is an interview in which Marsh discusses her inspiration for Nowhere Boy. Anyone who has ever felt lonely or uncertain or wants a story of friendship, family, hope, and courage would enjoy this remarkable book.