Luchi Ann only knows a few things about herself: she was born in a prison in Thailand. Her American mother was an inmate there. And now that her m...
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Oct 09, 2011
Barbara
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In this modern version of a Cinderella story that begins in a Thai prison and ends in a posh San Francisco high-rise hotel, Luchi must make her way in the world after her American mother dies. A mystery surrounds her mother, and Luchi knows very little about her mother's background or her own father. When she leaves the prison to find her family, she has only a few clues and some money provided by a friend of her mother. While staying in Bangkok, a woman she has come to trust as a friend, takes
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Oct 04, 2011
Maria
rated it: 
First of all, I am in love with this cover! I think it is beautiful, mysterious and instantly grabs at you.
This book is one that will absolutely catch you by surprise. Just reading the synopsis of Paquette's novel will not do this book justice. Sure, it reads as a decent novel - a young girl born in a prison in Thailand - tries to find here way home, wherever "home" may be. Sounds so-so, right? You might or might not want to read it after that.
Well, I'd like to be More...
This book is one that will absolutely catch you by surprise. Just reading the synopsis of Paquette's novel will not do this book justice. Sure, it reads as a decent novel - a young girl born in a prison in Thailand - tries to find here way home, wherever "home" may be. Sounds so-so, right? You might or might not want to read it after that.
Well, I'd like to be More...
Sep 30, 2011
Brent
rated it: 
Multi-cultural middle grade, holla. There’s nothing better than spending a few days in a foreign country with that naive, wondered-by-discovery voice you get in middle grade fiction. Seeing the cover was enough to get me to add NOWHERE GIRL to my to-read list; the straw hat, the dark forest, and the Thai-looking temple in the background set the tone for an emotional story about a young girl in a world that seems so far away.
NOWHERE GIRL is about Luchi Ann, but don’t tell her I told y More...
NOWHERE GIRL is about Luchi Ann, but don’t tell her I told y More...
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Jul 11, 2011
Leslie
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Nowhere Girl is a middle-grade story that treads its own path far from the Wimpy Kid and Potter trends. Heroine Luchi Ann has grown up in a Thai prison, comfortable with its walls and routines. When her American mother dies, she cannot stay. But where can she go? Helena Finn has kept her past a secret and her daughter in complete ignorance of who she is, how she became a prisoner, and why she stays.
Luchi's determination to find out her own and her mother's history propels her journ More...
Luchi's determination to find out her own and her mother's history propels her journ More...
Sep 13, 2011
Justin
rated it:
As I was walking through the exhibit floor at ALA Annual, I chanced to pick up an advance reader’s copy for a children’s book that had some very nice art on the cover, a definite rarity for ARCs. I browsed through the blurbs, and discovered that this particular children’s book is about a girl who grew up in a Thai women’s prison.
I dare you to say no to a children’s book set in a Thai women’s prison. If you say you aren’t interested in how that turns out, you’re a filthy liar.
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I dare you to say no to a children’s book set in a Thai women’s prison. If you say you aren’t interested in how that turns out, you’re a filthy liar.
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Jan 27, 2012
Beth
rated it:
Benjamin Lacombe and Nicole Gastonguay create an alluring jacket that compels the reader to open the book. A.J. Paquette grabs the reader and doesn't let go. Reviewers have compared protagonist 13-year-old Luchi to Cinderella. While Luchi's story has a fairy-tale ending (no spoiler here), the care and love she received from her mother while behind the bars of a Thai prison are a stark contrast to any treatment motherless Cinderella received during her childhood.
Writing for middle-grad More...
Writing for middle-grad More...
Dec 06, 2011
Elizabeth
rated it:
I'm not sure what I expected from this book, but it exceeded all expectations. It has a very strong sense of place and a lovely heroine that I just fell head over heels for. Born and raised in a Thai prison, American Luchi has had only brief glimpses of the world outside plus the limited knowledge granted her by a set of encyclopedias published in 1986, but when her mother dies, she is sent out into the world on her own and must make her way to America to find a grandmother who doesn't even kn
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Oct 31, 2011
Anne
rated it:
Paquette has given readers a truly original setting and story. Luchi was born in a Thai prison of an American mother whose death leaves the girl with questions to answer and secrets to solve. NOWHERE GIRL is at its best exploring Luchi’s emotional roller coaster as she moves beyond the only home she’s ever known out into a big world for which she is unprepared. Young readers will root Luchi’s courage and inner strength as she forges toward her future, and appreciate the beauty of Thai culture a
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Sep 18, 2011
Laura
rated it:
Luchi was born in a women's prison in Thailand and lived there until her mother dies. She sets off in the world with nothing more than a letter from her grandmother and an address. She faces many dangers with courage as she journeys to America. But it's more than a journey across the world, it's a journey of the heart, becoming a changed person and facing the future.
Beautifully written, you can't help but get drawn into this young girl's story.
Beautifully written, you can't help but get drawn into this young girl's story.
Nov 27, 2011
Loralee
rated it:
Tale of an American-born girl raised by her mother inside a Thai prison, who tries to find her way to America after her mother's death. Enough danger and trickery to make her situation seem dangerous, but free from unnecessary violence or graphic descriptions. Some truly unbelieveable coincidences, but since these are standard tools in children's writing, I couldn't object too much.
Mar 01, 2011
Kate
rated it:
I was lucky enough to read a draft of this book early on, and it is stunning. A girl who has lived her whole life inside a Thai prison faces a frightening and uncertain future when her mother dies and she must find her way on the outside, alone. Beautiful, evocative, and full of rich language that lingers long after the book is closed.
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Feb 06, 2012
Carrie
rated it:
Such an interesting premise - a young girl leaving the Thailand (would you say "Thai"?) prison when her mom dies, after being raised there. A bit of mystery, a dastardly deed, and a kind ole skipper as she ends up in America - to think about it now it seems like it would be too convoluted, but I didn't feel that way as I read... I liked it. Three solid stars for an afternoon's escape.
Dec 28, 2011
Kristi
rated it:
This book was dropped a star because of the ending. It was an interesting book, slightly unbelievable and glossed over elements that could have been much deeper. Luchi was far too worldly for growing up in a prison and for only being 13 years old. The end could have been so much more, but was very much a let down.
Nov 06, 2011
Katie
rated it:
The plot is fascinating---a young girl grows up in a Thai prison until her mother dies. Then, on her own, and without any knowledge of the world "outside", she must find a place for herself.
I liked it quite a bit, but the end was a bit too pat and rushed. Although she claims her life is not a fairy-tale, the ending was rather Disney-esque.
I liked it quite a bit, but the end was a bit too pat and rushed. Although she claims her life is not a fairy-tale, the ending was rather Disney-esque.
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Apr 30, 2011
Jenn
rated it: 
it was ok, it was building up to this huge moment, and it was quite a let down at the end. And then just wrapped neatly in a bow, happy ending for all, as everyone got along. Ok, we get that you know a few words in thai, but cmon seriously?
Its obviously a teen book, or rather tween book, don't get your hopes too high
Its obviously a teen book, or rather tween book, don't get your hopes too high
Dec 22, 2011
Hoover Public Library
rated it:
Yes, the premise is depressing. Yes, Luchi's path is difficult. But there is an overall sense of hope. Be brave. Read it.
Aug 08, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
This is a beautiful story told in a beautiful way. I love Luchi's voice and the way she evolves over the story. I loved this!
Nov 11, 2011
Beckyt
rated it:
This is a beautiful book. I'd recommend it for those who are grieving and those who feel they don't belong anywhere.
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Jan 10, 2012
Jan
rated it:
I'm up to chapter 16 and wondering how Luchi will find herself. An enjoyable read.
Feb 01, 2012
Sandy
rated it:
Middle grade fiction with a pretty interesting setting & main character - a 13 y.o. girl born & raised in a prison in Thailand (to an American mother). Her odyssey begins after the death of her mother, when she travels to Bangkok and finally to California, learning more about the outside world and her family and her mother's history.
Sep 28, 2011
Erin
rated it:
A beautifully written tale of finding one's place in the world as well as an adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat!
Dec 05, 2011
Julie (Manga Maniac Cafe)
rated it:
What a great book! I loved everything about Nowhere Girl: Luchi is a wonderful protagonist, and the prose is beautiful. I greedily gobbled this one up and had a very hard time putting it down.
Full review http://www.mangamaniaccafe.com/?p=5786
Full review http://www.mangamaniaccafe.com/?p=5786
Feb 13, 2012
Rachel
rated it:
I really liked the setting and the culture, but the story moved very slow and some of it was hard to believe, alluded to connections to Cinderella then did not make any real connections.
Feb 18, 2012
I'm really excited to read this one! Very intriguing situation. I hope it does justice to it's description.
Aug 25, 2011
Kip
rated it:
NOWHERE GIRL is so beautifully written that I'd recommend it based on the writing alone. However, there is so much more to it. This novel has it all: beautiful writing, a unique setting, a character on a self-discovery quest facing a mounting set of obstacles. I was crossing my fingers for the young heroine, Luchi, up until the end!
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Feb 22, 2012
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