Where in the World

You'll never forget this story of a young boy's struggle to find his place in the world. Ari is an ordinary boy with an extraordinary gift for and love of music. But since moving with his mother from Germany to Australia he feels adrift-cut off from his familiar world, the people he loves most, even his music. For Ari, playing the violin was always the key to his memories of people and places and his connection to the world around him. But even the music cannot help him now. How is he to find his footing in this new country, accept his new stepfather, and most difficult of all, leave behind his beloved grandfather? Ari faces disappointment, confusion, even the death of someone he loves before he realizes that music does have the power to heal him... and might even be the key to his future. Simon French's emotionally-charged story of an adolescent boy trying to find his way in an unfamiliar place will resonate with readers, especially those who may occasionally feel out of step with the world around them.

Simon French had his first novel published at the age of eighteen. Since then, he has written numerous books for young readers that have earned critical acclaim and awards. French is a teacher, and the characters in his stories often develop from the children he has worked with. He lives in Australia.