by Seemi Aziz, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK

Authors outside of the cultures they are representing write both the immigration books from this as well as the previous entry. Another famous author, Ellis writes this book. Ellis has become an author who has become an authority is representing Muslims in books specifically after her success with the Breadwinner trilogy where a girl is forced to dress as a boy to help her all female family to survive in Afghanistan.

No Safe Place is a book that centers on illegal immigration of three young migrants who are forced to leave their oppressed lives within their countries and reach the shores of France and then that of Britain. The main characters are a Muslim Kurd, Abdul, Rosalia, A girl from Romania and Cheslav from Russia. They kill the smuggler who is shipping them to Britain and save his nephew Jonah a British orphan. Jonah joins them as he is released from the bounds of an oppressive smuggler/uncle. The process of immigration that began with each child’s homeland culminates in England. The description of the traumatic lives many immigrants lead in France is very explicit and the reader comes away with a disquieting feeling of the experiences of immigrants. This book provides rich cultural backgrounds of the three countries of birth and distinct circumstances that each character comes from.

Even though there is the prevalent message of peace and its elusive nature, the turmoil within other countries is related as a sharp contrast to the peace found in the streets of Cornwall, England. The issues of illegal immigration and some reasons for it are well articulated. One ends up sympathizing with the lives that the characters have lead and agree with their wish to reach any place that can provide them with safety. The description of oppressors from different cultures provides the reason for the fleeing of the characters.

Abdul is presented as caring and sensitive even though he has so many forces against him. His life and the loss of his family and his close friend in his home country seem to be the reason for his struggle to reach Cornwall. Ellis does not overstate extremist views towards women and homosexuals.

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• Themes: No Safe Place, Seemi Aziz
• Descriptors: Books & Resources, Debates & Trends, WOW Currents