People Magazine "Kid Pick" Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books of 2018 New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Books of 2018 " An important and riveting story, masterfully told. Move this one to the top of your to-be-read pile immediately." -Barbara O'Connor, author of WISH and WONDERLAND "Elegantly structured, plausible in its improbable plot, and studded with moments of rapturous prose. The book ends on a single word that sums up its entire message: Hope." - Elizabeth Wein, The New York Times Book Review " Nowhere Boy has the authenticity of nonfiction, with all the heart and pulse of a great novel . As a journalist, who has reported on the refugee crisis for years, I was deeply impressed by how real and gripping Marsh's tale felt -- from the very start -- as a father and son clung to a life raft in rough seas. This should be required reading in middle schools across America." - Jake Halpern, winner of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for his series, "Welcome to the New World," in the New York Times .
A "perilous journey, tempered by the striking realism of obstacles refugees face daily." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books , Starred Review "This well-crafted and suspenseful novel touches on the topics of refugees and immigrant integration, terrorism, Islam, Islamophobia, and the Syrian war with sensitivity and grace . A captivating book situated in present-day discourse around the refugee crisis." - Kirkus , Starred Review "Marsh skillfully weaves the historical parallels with a touching story of friendship. She ratchets up the tension and suspense, until it becomes unbearable; readers will fly through the last hundred pages .Thoughtfully touching on immigration, Islamophobia, and terrorism, this novel is a first-purchase. Hands to fans of Alan Gratz's Refugee." - School Library Journal , Starred Review "Through the boys' deepening friendship, [Katherine Marsh] offers a timely and entertaining tale of suspense and intrigue while eloquently conveying the courage necessary to trust another person in a climate rife with fear, suspicion, and ethical dilemmas.
" - Publishers Weekly , Starred Review " A hopeful story about recovery, empathy, and the bravery of young people ." - Booklist " Beautifully done ." - People Magazine "Perfect for classroom reads, this timely novel with its strong male protagonists will foster discussions about friendship, Islam, and complex refugee predicaments throughout the world." - VOYA.