Somewhere in Nowhere by Steven Gellman is a thoughtful, heartfelt coming of age story that tackles some heavy topics with an incredible amount of care.
Simon is struggling with panic attacks and desperately needs to understand where they're coming from. Getting to the root of them means facing a trauma from his past that he has worked hard to avoid. At the same time, Simon is realizing that he's gay and trying to figure out how and when to come out.
That's complicated enough on its own, but Simon has two moms, and he worries that people will assume he's gay because they are lesbians. His anxiety, overthinking, and the way he processes all of this felt incredibly real and relatable.
One of my favorite parts of the book is Simon's relationship with PJ. Their budding romance is such a wonderful portrayal of young queer love. Simon's thoughts and feelings throughout their relationship feel genuine, awkward, hopeful, and completely believable.
I also really appreciated the way Gellman handles the heavier subject matter.
The story gives you a real understanding of Simon's trauma and the impact it has on his panic attacks without relying on graphic, on page depictions of the trauma itself. You absolutely get to the bottom of what is happening with Simon, but the journey is handled thoughtfully and with care. I think that makes this a particularly meaningful read for young audiences, while also making it a valuable book for adults who want to better understand these experiences and learn how to be supportive, safe adults for LGBTQIA+ young people.
Somewhere in Nowhere is ultimately a story about figuring out who you are, learning to face the things that scare you, and discovering that you don't have to navigate it all alone. Simon is a character you can't help but root for, and his journey stayed with me.
A wonderful coming of age story with heart, humor, romance, and some important conversations handled exceptionally well.