Nowhere Near You

by Leah Thomas

Overview

Ollie and Moritz might never meet, but their friendship knows no bounds. Their letters carry on as Ollie embarks on his first road trip away from the woods—no easy feat for a boy allergic to electricity—and Moritz decides which new school would best suit an eyeless boy who prefers to be alone.

Along the way they meet other teens like them, other products of strange science who lead seemingly normal lives in ways Ollie and Moritz never imagined possible: A boy who jokes about his atypical skeleton; an aspiring actress who hides a strange deformity; a track star whose abnormal heart propels her to victory. Suddenly the future feels wide open for two former hermits. But even as Ollie and Moritz dare to enjoy life, they can't escape their past, which threatens to destroy any progress they've made. Can these boys ever find their place in a world that might never understand them?

Because You'll Never Meet Me
A William C. Morris YA Debut Award finalist

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681191805
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	02/13/2018
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	416
Sales rank:	820,183
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.30(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Leah Thomas frequently loses battles of wits against her students and her stories. When she's not huddled in cafes, she's usually at home pricking her fingers in service of cosplay. Leah lives in San Diego, California and is the author of Nowhere Near You and the William C. Morris YA Debut Award finalist, Because You'll Never Meet Me.

Editorial Reviews

"Unforgettable and distinct voices . . . A fantastic novel that will be especially resonant for readers who struggle with being or feeling outside of 'normal.'" - starred review, Booklist


"This brilliant follow-up to a clever and unexpected novel does exactly what it should in keeping the same epistolary format but taking these two unforgettable characters way out of their comfort zones and toward lives that are lived rather than waited out, and the result is powerful stuff indeed." - starred review, BCCB


"Ollie and Moritz continue to be compelling characters, struggling to figure out how to use their talents while living within their limitations. In many ways, they are no different than most teens, just a few steps further along the continuum." - VOYA


"Part mad science, part convincing portrayal of the volatile, resilient nature of friendship and grief—and that, as Ollie says, is not science fiction." - Kirkus Reviews


"The strength of the tale lies in the unique bond between Ollie and Moritz, both of whom are forced to confront their limitations and face their fears about their relative places in the world . . . Fans of the first volume will likely enjoy reading this new chapter in Ollie’s and Moritz’s lives." - SLJ


"The pacing is impeccable, as letters move from sunniness (Oliver) and bemused distance (Moritz) to both writers exploring their darkest fears, experiences, and worries for their futures." - starred review, BCCB on BECAUSE YOU'LL NEVER MEET ME


"A witty, unusual take on friendship and parlaying weakness into power." - Kirkus Reviews on BECAUSE YOU'LL NEVER MEET ME


"Ollie and Moritz are memorable characters with engaging and often humorous voices. . . A quirky, almost whimsical feel even as Thomas grounds it in heartfelt and often painful emotion." - SLJ on BECAUSE YOU'LL NEVER MEET ME


"The two may be eccentric outcasts, but their conflicts, heartbreak, and eventual bond form a relatable and engaging narrative." - Publishers Weekly on BECAUSE YOU'LL NEVER MEET ME


"It’s the distinct, deeply memorable voices of Ollie and Moritz that make this novel an affecting page-turner." - Horn Book Magazine on BECAUSE YOU'LL NEVER MEET ME

From the Publisher

12/01/2016
Gr 9 Up—This follow-up to Morris Award finalist Because You'll Never Meet Me picks up the story of pen pals Ollie and Moritz right where the previous novel left off. Separated by an ocean—and by unusual health conditions that could threaten both of their lives should they ever meet—the teenage boys continue to exchange letters as they encounter new challenges and uncover more secrets about the laboratory where they spent time as children. For the first time in his life, Ollie has left his isolated cabin in the woods to join his doctor on a road trip to visit other experimental "Blunderkids" from the lab. Meanwhile, Moritz is adjusting to life at a new school as well as a burgeoning relationship with fellow student Owen, who is deaf. As in the first book, the strength of the tale lies in the unique bond between Ollie and Moritz, both of whom are forced to confront their limitations and face their fears about their relative places in the world. The boys' voices remain distinct, and the dual narration once again helps to build tension, though the story loses some of the freshness and novelty of the first one. More firmly rooted in science fiction, the tale also ventures toward the allegorical, which feels a bit heavy-handed at times, and the ending leaves loose a few threads that beg for a third installment. VERDICT Fans of the first volume will likely enjoy reading this new chapter in Ollie's and Moritz's lives.—Lauren Strohecker, McKinley Elementary School, Elkins Park, PA

School Library Journal

2016-11-02
Two mutant boys search for answers about their increasingly erratic powers as they continue the correspondence begun in Because You'll Never Meet Me (2015). Readers may wish to review the previous novel before starting this one, as Ollie, a white American teen, and Moritz, a German boy of Turkish descent, pick up bickering and pep-talking right where they left off, and preceding events and characters receive little introduction. This time, the literally electromagnetic Ollie's exuberant letters are written from the road as he and Dr. Auburn-Stache drive across America to meet other "Blunderkids," including a boy who regenerates his brittle bones and a girl with a removable heart. (Their back stories are brief but fascinating.) But roadblocks ensue; his power has become conspicuous and destructive, and everyone seems to know more about the Blunderkids than he does. Eyeless Moritz's emotional echolocation, meanwhile, is suddenly broadcasting his turbulent feelings to everyone he meets. Worst of all, Blunderkids are dying. The boys' communication is fraught with secrecy, frustration, and sympathetically awkward tension (Moritz is gay and loves Ollie, but Ollie is straight). Even so, they rely on each other for courage and perspective. Their letters alternately withhold and reveal critical information, culminating in a shocking revelation that will leave readers waiting eagerly for the next letter. Part mad science, part convincing portrayal of the volatile, resilient nature of friendship and grief—and that, as Ollie says, is not science fiction. (Science fiction. 14 & up)

Kirkus Reviews