Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book.

It's truly a travesty that this book needs to exist, but for far too many of our students, they'll find some unfortunate reflections of their own lives. This was well crafted, and a hard but important read.

A solid, if somewhat dark, combination of elements here. We're exploring personal power, the things that break us down and how we can build ourselves back up, for one. But it's also looking at the things that we trust and what happens when our trust is betrayed. All that to say that this is a complex, nuanced story that is going to ask the reader to think beyond just the surface. It's going to require a little emotional maturity, so not for younger middle grade readers.

I agree in that I think it's prefect for fans of Ernesto Cisernos. I thought that the writing was okay, and that it wasn't anything exemplary.

"Nowhere Special" by Matt Wallace is a fantastic middle grade fiction novel that explores the complexities of small-town life. The story follows a young protagonist who discovers that there's more to his town than meets the eye. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the plot is fast-paced and engaging. The themes of small-town secrets, friendship, and community are beautifully woven throughout the story. Wallace's writing is rich and descriptive, transporting the reader to the town of Nowhere and immersing them in its unique atmosphere. Overall, this is a must-read for fans of middle grade fiction and anyone looking for a thought-provoking and entertaining read.

3.75 stars

Man, I love misfits unite stories.

Also, I kept forgetting a white guy was writing Elpidia’s chapters bc as a Latina, her representation was done really, really well.

Perfect for fans of KARATE KID or anyone who’s ever wanted a middle grade version of ON MY BLOCK

TW for alcoholism body shaming, bullying, child abuse, death, domestic abuse, drug use, fatphobia, fire/fire injury, violence

I enjoyed this book. I would hesitate to make it available to my fifth graders, but I can see it being a good fit for seventh grade and up. I’d read a sequel if there ends up being one. I’d like to see what happens with the characters next. Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for access to an advance copy.

“Who you are isn’t in your blood. What’s in your blood is an idea, like something whispered to you from the past. You have to decide what to do with that.”

Elpidia is tired of her cousins beating her up for something she didn’t do. School is miserable when the three of them decide to come pick on her, and no one at the school cares enough to do anything about it. When her abuela decides that it’s time for a change, Elpidia finds herself being delivered to Charlie, who lives out in a compound that he built in the middle of the desert. Charlie, Elpidia is told, is going to teach her to fight.

Stan is tired of being unable to protect his mother from her abusive husband, and the violence that he drunkenly explodes with. He’s the one white kid at school, and that plus his size makes him a prime target for bullies at school. When his mom says that she has a surprise for him, he’s truly shocked to be driven out to Charlie’s, where he finds a girl that he knows from school.

Together, Elpidia and Stan begin to find a new strength, both in their Escrima training and in their friendship. She’s trying to move beyond the disaster that destroyed her home and resulted in her mom and dad no longer being in the picture (it’s not stated outright, but it looks like an attempt to cook meth in their house went awry), and the ripples that have impacted both sides of her family in the aftermath. Stan is trying to find where he belongs, and right now it looks like that might be serving as a nice, white face on behalf of the local gang, Los Cocos (the gang leader would love to have a friendly looking gringo to interact with law enforcement for him). Together, they might be able to make a better future for themselves and their families.

Matt Wallace is a phenomenal writer, and he’s put together another brilliant middle grade fiction title. Nowhere Special is a great depiction of life in a small town, where no one wants to actually talk about the issues that the people face. It’s a quick read, and a necessary story to tell, tackling issues of bullying, drug use, domestic violence, and more in a format that makes the story accessible for younger readers who are dealing with these issues in real life.

Nowhere Special is out tomorrow, 10/24. Do yourself a favor and give it a read. My utmost thanks to HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for a fair review.

This review originally appeared here: https://swordsoftheancients.com/2023/10/23/nowhere-special-a-review/

Out in the dry, Southen California desert is a place called Lakeshore Estates, where a church has been converted to a school, and the town feels infinitesimal despite the vastness of the desert surrounding it. Both Elpidia and Stan are middle school students who desire nothing more than to feel safe in their daily lives. Physical violence is always a potential occurrence for them, so they find themselves venturing even farther out into the desert to meet with the fabled Charlie Ramos to learn Escrima, the Filipino art of fighting. And as they become more confident in their physical abilities, they begin to emerge as stronger individuals, as well.

This raw middle grade novel stands apart from others in its genre. An author’s note at the beginning alerts readers to the mature nature of the text, including the fact that it references drug and alcohol abuse, physical and emotional abuse, and racially charged topics. While this is certainly true within the narrative, Elpidia and Stan are experiencing realities many youth face themselves on a daily basis. And thanks to this thoughtfully designed book, readers can observe the things happening in the novel through either a window or a mirror depending on their own unique circumstances.

Descriptive writing paints a vivid series of images for the reader, from the feeling of being punched in the face to the hot breeze blowing by a car under the hot desert sun. These details help readers understand the setting for the trauma experienced by both Elpidia and Stan, and they also draw readers into the complexity of both the story and its surroundings. Though certain moments of the novel can be difficult to read, the overall narrative is one that will encourage discussion and reflection in either a home or a classroom setting. And the tenacity of the two protagonists will inspire readers of all ages to find strength and courage in their own lives. This is a powerful addition to library collections for mature middle grade readers.

Happy to have more books that tackle different perspectives of difficult topics. Some topics may feel too heavy for kids but there are kids living heavy experiences that deserve to see themselves represented in novels too.

This book was really good and inspiring, and I loved the story. I loved seeing how the two main characters slowly became unlikely friends and learned how to stand up for themselves and each other! I also loved how their family lived were so creatively mixed in, because it just added even more to the story.

I very much appreciated that Matt Wallace isn't afraid to dig into the tougher topics that might be uncomfortable to some. While I didn't grow up in the same situation at all, to be able to see how he approached it gave me a better understanding of how the characters came to be as they are. This is an exceptional book. Netgalley, I appreciate that I was able to get the ARC and review this wonderful story. I can't wait to dig into more by Matt!

This book dives into some deeper topics that sadly our current youth face. I seem to connect with the characters and enjoyed the easy writing style. This book is definitely intended for secondary students and specifically the more mature students based on the topics addresses. Overall enjoyed the read and thank you for the approval.

Nowhere Special was a captivating dive into the life of children who deal with abuse and addicted loved ones. As an adult child of an addict/alcoholic, I appreciate the real and raw look at that world from a child's perspective. I would have very much appreciated reading a book like this as a preteen and teen. The book deals well with the complexities of anger and love that a child feels toward an addicted or enabling parent. As an elementary librarian, I feel that the book is better suited for middle school and high school students.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Stan and Elpidia are two 12-year old kids in a very small desert town in southern California. Life is not easy for either of them; Elpidia's parents are both in prision and her somewhat estranged cousins are beating her up at school. Stan's teased for his weight and his color and has an abusive home life. They both need a way to protect themselves and are brought to Charlie, but what starts as lessons in defense turn into lessons that are brought into every part of their lives.

This book had quite a few layers. It touched on not only absentee parents, but race issues, neglect, gang activity, and what happens to a small rural town that it seems like the world forgot. It definitely hits quite a few diversity check marks. I waffled quite a bit on this book. I didn't care for it in the beginning. Everything seemed so depressing and hopeless, to be honest. I also wasn't sure that I liked the writing style; things felt a bit choppy. As the story progressed I did find connections with Elpidia and Stan and really began to get into the feel of the story, but I ultimately found the entire book too dark for the intended age group.

Elpidia’s cousin, Marigold, has been punching her at school and Elpidia wishes she had the strength to fight back. Stan, the only white kid at school, has an abusive dad who dares Stan to hit him back but Stan can’t. Both Elpidia and Stan coincidentally end up at Charlie’s one day who teaches them some defense techniques. Elpidia and Stan become friends, and they both realize it’s nice to have someone who has your back. When a tragic incident takes place, Stan becomes angry and takes it out on his dad. The sheriff comes. What happens next?