Welcome to Nowhere

From award-winning and beloved children's author Elizabeth Laird comes a stunning edition of Welcome to Nowhere, with a cover illustration by Maria Brzozowska, an updated author letter and additional content from the author, including discussion notes. A must-read modern classic, this is a beautifully written story about the life of one family caught up in civil war, illustrated throughout in black-and-white by Lucy Eldridge.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?This edition includes brilliant extra material, such as:- An author letter by Elizabeth Laird- Extra content from the author, including reading group questionsReview QuoteA muscular, moving, thought-provoking bookReview Quote[H]umane and empathetic . . . Not only eye-opening, important and topical, but a vivid, emotionally involving, nail-biting read . . .an effective call to action.Review QuoteA muscular, moving, thought-provoking book from an award-winning writerReview Quote[I]n bringing the fate of the victims of the Syrian conflict to life for young readers, both to inform and encourage sympathy and understanding, it is much to be admired.Review QuoteAn important story for our timeReview QuoteNot only does it explain how the war in Syria began in as clear a way as I have ever heard but [Elizabeth Laird] makes her characters lovable, loathable - and believable. They are children of war but not defined by it . . . fascinating and sing[s] with truth.Review QuoteThis powerful, dramatic story, poignantly illustrates how war affects ordinary peopleReview QuoteDeeply moving . . . you can always count on Elizabeth Laird to write fearlessly but with compassion and this story will give readers plenty to think aboutReview QuoteA poignant, special book which is beautifully written. Essential reading.Review QuotePowerful, heart-breaking and compellingBiographical NoteElizabeth Laird is the multi-award-winning author of many much-loved children's books, including The Garbage King, The Prince Who Walked with Lions, The Fastest Boy in the World and Welcome to Nowhere. She has been shortlisted for the prestigious CILIP Carnegie Medal six times. She lives in Britain now, but still likes to travel as much as she can.Maria Brzozowska was born in Poland, spent most of her childhood growing up in Turkey, where she currently lives. Being raised in a creative household she was always encouraged to look at the world and ask ‘what if?’ A nature lover inspired by the magical landscapes and textures of Turkey, she loves setting out on adventures with her two dogs.Lucy Eldridge is a traditional artist based in Brighton. Lucy works primarily in watercolour and gouache to create beautiful, whimsical illustrations that have a confident line. She finds inspiration for her work from a variety of things, including pebbles found on the beach, biscuits, origami paper, dictionaries, maps, Chinese brush painting, clouds, trees, trinkets & cats.Forced to flee his home in Syria, a young boy and his family face the dangers of civil war. A moving story of conflict and hope, winner of the UKLA Book Award.