Ahmed, 14, is a Syrian refugee whose father disappeared in the water as they tried to reach Greece. After months living in a makeshift Belgian refugee camp, Ahmed hopes to make it to England, but things go terribly wrong and he finds refuge in the basement of a Brussels home. Max, 13, is an American expatriate. He hates his French-speaking school, the class bully, his parents’ fights, his sister’s perfection. When Max discovers the boy living in his basement, his initial fear quickly dissolves. His tutor speaks disparagingly of Muslim refugees but has also told Max, with pride, about Albert Jonnart, the Belgian man for whom their street is named. Jonnart was killed for hiding a Jewish boy from the Nazis. As Max learns more about Ahmed’s life and the horror of the war, including the death of Ahmed’s mother and little sister in a bombing, he’s determined to help with more than just food and books for his new friend in hiding. But terrorist attacks heightening Islamophobia making everything more challenging. Compassion is at the heart of this timely, discussable story moving back and forth between the two boys’ lives. Some of the plot stretches credibility but the hearts of the characters are genuine. (Ages 10–13)

"A resistance novel for our time." - The New York Times
"A hopeful story about recovery, empathy, and the bravery of young people." - Booklist
"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." - Kirkus, Starred Review

Fourteen-year-old Ahmed is stuck in a city that wants nothing to do with him. Newly arrived in Brussels, Belgium, Ahmed fled a life of uncertainty and suffering in Aleppo, Syria, only to lose his father on the perilous journey to the shores of Europe. Now Ahmed’s struggling to get by on his own, but with no one left to trust and nowhere to go, he’s starting to lose hope.

Then he meets Max, a thirteen-year-old American boy from Washington, D.C. Lonely and homesick, Max is struggling at his new school and just can’t seem to do anything right. But with one startling discovery, Max and Ahmed’s lives collide and a friendship begins to grow. Together, Max and Ahmed will defy the odds, learning from each other what it means to be brave and how hope can change your destiny.

Set against the backdrop of the Syrian refugee crisis, award-winning author of Jepp, Who Defied the Stars Katherine Marsh delivers a gripping, heartwarming story of resilience, friendship and everyday heroes. Barbara O'Connor, author of Wish and Wonderland, says "Move Nowhere Boy to the top of your to-be-read pile immediately."