
Out of Nowhere
Random House Children's Books · Paperback · February 12, 2013
Winner of the Maine Literary Award Called “rich and multidimensional” by School Library Journal in a starred review, Out of Nowhere follows Tom Bouchard: captain and star of the Enniston High School soccer team; boyfriend to one of the prettiest, most popular girls; and third in his class, likely to have his pick of any college (if he ever bothers filling out his applications).
We earn from qualifying purchases.
- Who it’s for
- A serious, readable sports story with enough texture to keep you turning pages.
- Genres
- Soccer, Immigration for Teens, Friendship for Teens
- Published
- Random House Children's Books, February 12, 2013
Nearest books
Matched by what the books are about, then ordered by what their readers also loved.
Secret Side of EmptyMaria E. Andreu53% matchShares Immigration for Teens
Outcasts UnitedWarren St. John61% match
Curveball: the Year I Lost My GripJordan Sonnenblick54% match
WatchedSunil Malhotra, Marina Budhos53% matchShares Immigration for Teens
Backfield BoysJohn Feinstein55% match
American StreetIbi Zoboi57% matchShares Immigration for Teens
HoopsWalter Dean Myers53% match
Game ChangeJoseph Monninger60% match
For younger readers: On Point, Will on the Inside, The Benefits of Being an Octopus
Start with three books, and this one can be the first.
Members get a new edition every morning: a route out from their books to essays, research and talks, with the reason for each.
Start with this bookAbout this book
Winner of the Maine Literary Award Called “rich and multidimensional” by School Library Journal in a starred review, Out of Nowhere follows Tom Bouchard: captain and star of the Enniston High School soccer team; boyfriend to one of the prettiest, most popular girls; and third in his class, likely to have his pick of any college (if he ever bothers filling out his applications). But life in his idyllic small Maine town quickly gets turned upside down after the events of 9/11.
Continue reading
Enniston has become a “secondary migration” location for Somali refugees seeking a better life after their country is destroyed by war. Tom hasn’t thought much about his Somali classmates until four of them join the soccer team, including Saeed. He comes out of nowhere on the field to make impossible shots, and suddenly the team is winning, dominating even. But when Saeed’s eligibility is questioned and Tom screws up in a big way, he’s left to grapple with a culture he doesn’t understand and take responsibility for his actions. The refugees came out of nowhere and vanish just as quickly. And Tom may find himself going nowhere, too, if he doesn’t start trying to get somewhere.
Reasons It Lands
A serious, readable sports story with enough texture to keep you turning pages.
Come here for
- sports-forward teen energy
- layered, classroom-friendly read
Expect
- immersion over spectacle
- clean, grounded teen perspective
Where it sits
| Immigration for Teens | 98% |
|---|---|
| Friendship for Teens | 89% |
| Soccer | 56% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Africa for Teens
- Immigration for Teens
- Soccer
- Authors
- Maria Padian
- Publisher
- Random House Children's Books
- Published
- February 12, 2013
- Format
- Paperback
- Reading lane
- Africa for Teens