A nod to classic fantasy novels of the past, No Place Like Home by Linh S. Nguyễn is inspired by feelings about home.

Lan has recently immigrated to Canada from Việt Nam with her father, leaving her mother and baby brother. Canada still does not feel like home and Lan soothes herself by escaping into the world of books, figuratively and literaly. At the book fair, she finds a mysterious book in the stacks. While reading she is violently swooped up in a storm that lands her in the world of Silva right in the middle of a quest pursued by Annabelle and Marlow. She has always been taught to help others so she proceeds to journey with Annabelle and Marlow across the dangerous landscape of Silva to meet the King and beg for him to restore Annabelle’s home land.

Readers can feel the treads of inspiration from stories of the past. A little Wizard of Oz sprinkled with The Neverending Story but with a very modern twist, this book is destined to be a classic itself. Linh S. Nguyễn’s world building is clear and not boged down by overly dramatic descriptions which I found refreshing and perfect for the audience. Middle grade readers want action and story. Witches, Tree Guardians, centaurs and nymphs all pepper the landscape of the story keeping it fresh and exciting.

Linh S. Nguyễn fouses on home and the power of that word for most young people but none more than displaced people. Children who have to leave their home and move can have a difficult time defining the meaning of home. Often torn between two places as Lan is and trying to find footing in the new place without forgetting where they came from. It’s a unique experience for those who immigrate to a new country and I love how Linh S. Nguyễn writes with such care and leaves space for all the different emotions that come. When talking about the idea of home Lan remarks “I guess it could be many places at once.” 

I appreciated the text in Vietnamese throughout the story without a pronunciation guide. Readers understand the words and the sentiments even if they don’t read or speak the language. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE a pronunciation guide, especially if I’m sharing a book aloud for other readers but in this instance, the story didn’t need to be interrupted.

Readers move through the world with ease, fighting and feeling alongside Annabelle, Marlow and Lan, all very different people with completely different motivations who all come together for a common goal and learn a lot about themselves in the process. Empathy and understanding exude through the pages. “All books change the minute they touch a reader, child. That is nothing new.” Readers are also changed when reading this story.