Nowhere Special

Author Matt Wallace delivers a deeply moving story exploring that first formative friendship, navigating challenging family circumstances, and finding hope and strength in a forgotten desert town. Perfect for fans of Ernesto Cisneros and Julie Murphy. The isolation and bullying Stan suffers at school are nothing compared to the war at home. After he tries and fails to defend his mom by standing up to his abusive father, Stan decides there is only one solution to finding a new self-confidence: he must learn how to fight.
Tragic events have split the two sides of Elpidia's family into fighting factions. Every day she finds herself outnumbered by her cousins on the schoolyard. After the latest beatdown, her grandmother decides Elpidia must learn how to defend herself. Stan and Elpidia seem like total opposites, but when they both wind up with the same reclusive trainer, they find an unexpected friendship as they work together to overcome their bullies.
But when Stan gains the attention of a powerful gang leader, it threatens to pull him away from his new best friend. Will their dreams for the future be enough to get them out of this small town? Unlikely Friendship: Stan is bullied for his size; Elpidia is targeted by her own cousins. When a reclusive mentor teaches them both to fight, they find they have more in common than they ever imagined. Overcoming Adversity: From an abusive father at home to warring family factions on the schoolyard, both kids must find the strength to stand up for themselves and each other.
Found Family: In the heart of a forgotten desert town, Stan and Elpidia find more than a trainer in their mysterious mentor-they find a safe haven and someone who finally believes in them. Gritty Realistic Fiction: This powerful story for middle grade readers tackles difficult topics like domestic abuse and bullying with honesty and hope, making it perfect for sparking important conversations.