Listen to a sample
Welcome to Nowhere
- Narrator
- Karim Hadaya
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Publish Date
- 1 October 2026
- Run Time
- 7 hours 55 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
From award-winning and beloved children's author Elizabeth Laird comes Welcome to Nowhere, A must-listen modern classic, this is a beautiful story about the life of one family caught up in civil war.
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?
Critics Review
-
A muscular, moving, thought-provoking book
Guardian
-
[H]umane and empathetic . . . Not only eye-opening, important and topical, but a vivid, emotionally involving, nail-biting read . . .an effective call to action.
The Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week
-
A muscular, moving, thought-provoking book from an award-winning writer
Guardian
-
[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.
Books for Keeps
See more reviews See fewer reviews
-
An important story for our time
Scottish Book Trust
-
Not 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.
The Times Children's Book of the Week
-
This powerful, dramatic story, poignantly illustrates how war affects ordinary people
Bookseller
-
Deeply moving . . . you can always count on Elizabeth Laird to write fearlessly but with compassion and this story will give readers plenty to think about
Bookbag
-
A poignant, special book which is beautifully written. Essential reading.
ReadingZone
-
Powerful, heart-breaking and compelling
The Scotsman
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Elizabeth Laird, illustrated by Lucy Eldridge
- Narrator
- Karim Hadaya
- Duration
- 7 hours 55 minutes
- Release Date
- 1 October 2026
- ISBN
- 9781037429323
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Genre
- Children’s / Teenage fiction: Family and home stories, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Racism and anti-racism, Children’s / Teenage social topics: War and conflict issues, Children’s / Teenage social topics: Migration / refugees
Synopsis
From award-winning and beloved children's author Elizabeth Laird comes Welcome to Nowhere, A must-listen modern classic, this is a beautiful story about the life of one family caught up in civil war.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?
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.