Nowhere Near You
By Mary Cosola,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Sick pen pals move on and grow up in charming sequel.
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What's the Story?
NOWHERE NEAR YOU is a novel of letters between kids who have unusual physical conditions. This sequel to Because You'll Never Meet Me finds American Ollie Paulot and German Moritz Farber still trading letters, supporting each other, and sharing their hopes, dreams, and fears. Even though they both still struggle with their congenital health issues, Ollie and Moritz are pushing themselves to be less isolated. Ollie leaves the Michigan woods on a trip with his doctor, and Moritz starts a new school. The boys meet other kids from their childhoods who have unusual disorders and powers. While this makes them feel less alone, it also opens their eyes to the serious health risks they may be facing. It doesn't help that their doctor is clearly holding some secrets that Ollie works hard to tease out of him. Ollie and Moritz mature dramatically in this sequel, experiencing the ups and downs of putting your heart on the line -- in romance and in friendship. They also learn that everyone has their struggles and problems, not just those with obvious outward illnesses or deformities The book highlights the importance of friendship, empathy, and pushing yourself to experience new things, no matter how scary it might be.
Is It Any Good?
In this charming story told in letters, two lonely pen pals push themselves to face their fears and engage in the world. Nowhere Near You picks up where Because You'll Never Meet Me leaves off: Ollie and Moritz are reeling from losses and the discovery of dark secrets about their early years. However, they're no longer letting their isolation control their lives. They take risks and learn how to move forward. Like the first book, this story moves slowly and stalls out in sections. The boys' doctor has some secrets, which is supposed to build tension, but few hints are dropped, and it ends up being more irritating than intriguing.
The boys meet kids who share their unusual background. The new characters add a lot to the story, in that they teach Ollie and Moritz compassion and empathy. In their letters, the differences between the characters leaps off the page. Ollie's still funny, energetic, and outgoing, while Moritz is formal, withdrawn, and dramatic. Their rapport and love for each other is touching. Many of the book's themes -- coming of age, friendship, empathy, loss, isolation, love -- will give readers lots to discuss and think about.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way Nowhere Near You deals with conveniences many of us take for granted. For example, Ollie can't be near anything electric and Moritz can't read anything on a screen. What would your life be like if you had to give up computers or social media?
Ollie and Moritz are opposites in every way, but they have a deep connection. Do you have friends like that? Do you think different perspectives make friendships more interesting?
Do you have a way you like to express yourself, such as writing, drawing, building things, or sports? What about that activity helps you?
Book Details
- Author: Leah Thomas
- Genre: Coming of Age
- Topics: Adventures, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, High School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
- Publication date: February 7, 2017
- Number of pages: 400
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: February 16, 2017
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