Out of Nowhere by Maria Padian, published in 2013, is a young adult novel that explores the intersections between culture and religion, as well as friendship and prejudice in a post-9/11 world. The narrative unfolds in the small town of Enniston, Maine, which struggles to redefine its identity amidst a surge of Somali refugees, who have been forced to leave their home country after it was severely impacted by war. The story centers on Tom Bouchard, captain of the local high school soccer team, popular among his peers, and third in his class. His life changes when four Somali refugees join his soccer team. The novel explores themes like Friendship Across Cultural Divides, Racism and Prejudice, and Cultural Diversity and Integration. From midcoastal Maine, author Maria Padian is the author of five novels for young adults. She is known for stories that interweave the everyday concerns of high school life with complex national and transnational issues. Awarded the 2014 Maine Literary Award and the 2014 Lupine Award, Out of Nowhere weaves together a multifaceted story about a significant part in the American timeline.

This guide refers to the 2014 First Ember edition.

Plot Summary

The town of Enniston, Maine, has become a “secondary migration” location for Somali refugees forced to leave their country as a result of the devastating, decades-long Somali Civil War. Enniston, a community with Franco-American roots, struggles with the influx of Somali refugees who have begun to reshape the town. Tom Bouchard is the captain of the Chamberlain high school soccer team. He has always found success in academics and sports and is dating Cherisse, the prettiest girl in school. Tom’s team, Chamberlin, is playing a soccer match against the affluent Maquoit High School. There exists a rivalry between Tom and Maquoit’s captain, Alex Rhodes, a wealthy and privileged player who Tom knows from a soccer camp. Chamberlin’s team includes Somali players, namely Saeed, a refugee whom Tom invited to join after seeing his Manchester United jersey. These Somali players, new to the team, mirror the broader challenges Chamberlain faces in welcoming increasing numbers of Somali refugees. The Somalian refugees struggle with adapting to American school life, balancing their religious customs with American norms, and learning English.

After the game, Tom meets Saeed’s sister Samira and feels as though she doesn’t like him; Tom finds this puzzling since he is usually popular with women. Tom’s friend Donnie, known for causing trouble, shares Tom’s resentment toward Maquoit’s wealth and status. Influenced by Donnie, Tom participates in vandalizing Maquoit’s emblem of school pride, a giant rock, and both boys are arrested. As punishment, Tom and Donnie are required to repaint the rock and complete 100 service hours at the K Street Center, which supports Somali refugees.

At the K Street Center, Tom meets Myla, a college volunteer, and works with Samira. Samira, Saeed’s sister, helps with translation at the center due to her proficiency in English. Assigned to help a Somali third-grader, Abdi, with his homework, Tom becomes more involved in the center’s activities and the Somalian community.

In Enniston and at Tom’s high school, challenges related to integration of the Somali refugees and cultural differences are a constant presence. A school bus altercation fueled by racism prompts the school administration to organize anti-hate sessions. Meanwhile, Tom becomes aware of the challenges faced by his Somali teammates, learning about their inability to afford soccer gear, their past experiences in war-torn Somalia, and how the absence of birth certificates in the refugee camps means that all their green cards list their birthdates as January 1. At a team pasta party, Tom’s Somali teammate, Ismail, hesitates to eat Bolognese sauce and feels discomfort around a dog due to his Muslim religious beliefs. Though the differences between them become increasingly clear, Tom’s connection with his Somali teammates grows stronger. This bond is evident when Saeed and the other Somalian players offers to help Tom repaint the Maquoit rock.

Tom’s team, with the assistance of its Somali players, defeats Maquoit in a rivalry game through penalty kicks. This victory holds particular significance because the Somali players participated despite their fasting for Ramadan, abstaining from food and drink. Meanwhile, at the K Street Center, Tom’s feelings for Myla deepen, leading him to end his superficial relationship with Cherisse. He collaborates with Samira on an alphabet book project to help Abdi, a young Somali student, with his ABCs. His connection with Myla grows stronger during a date that includes Samira, at the end of which Myla and Tom share a kiss and she invites him to her dorm.

The community experiences tension after the mayor writes a public letter urging Somalis to stop coming to Enniston. This results in public demonstrations, media outrage, and involvement of the United Church of the World, a white supremacist group. It also prompts an investigation into Saeed’s background by journalist John LaVallee, who uses the Somali players’ uncertain official birthdates to question their eligibility for the soccer team. Saeed is subsequently removed from the team over allegations of age discrepancies on his green card, leading Tom to suspect Alex Rhodes’s involvement. Tom learns it was Alex Rhodes’s father who spearheaded the decision to remove Saeed. Shortly after, Saeed goes missing.

As a storm rages through Enniston, Tom receives news of Donnie’s severe car accident and hospitalization. At the hospital, he unexpectedly encounters Myla and Samira, who are there searching for the still-missing Saeed. Tom, trying to offer comfort regarding her missing brother, embraces Samira. However, Cherisse, at the hospital due to Donnie’s accident, takes a photo of their embrace and shares it on Facebook with a false claim that Samira is Tom’s new girlfriend. This misleading post triggers a wave of racist comments, but one comment, in particular, stands out: a comment from a Somali girl accusing Samira of dishonoring her family. Tom becomes acutely aware of the significant cultural and religious implications this accusation may hold for Samira and her family.

Saeed’s unexplained disappearance triggers a police investigation, with detectives questioning Tom and focusing on Saeed’s religion, suggesting that young Somali men like Saeed may be recruited by Islamic militias. During the investigation, Saeed returns. Tom and Saeed, go on to discuss the fallout from the controversial photo of Tom hugging Samira, which has spread on Facebook. Saeed is concerned about the negative impact on Samira’s reputation within her community and religious circles. Despite Tom’s explanations, Saeed doubts they can undo the harm already caused.

Later, Tom’s soccer coach reveals that Saeed is cleared to play for the team again. Tom goes to Saeed and Samira’s apartment to share the news, but there is no one home. Tom learns that Saeed and Samira have vanished from Enniston, leaving no trace even among their Somali acquaintances. The soccer team experiences the impact of Saeed’s absence, resulting in a loss and the end of their season. Seeking answers, Tom turns to Mr. Aden, the school’s cultural liaison, who reveals that he advised the family to leave Enniston due to the public shame stemming from the Facebook incident, but he’s unaware of their current whereabouts.

While with Myla at her college campus, Tom discovers “Stand up Enniston,” a group opposing the United Church of the World. Tom decides to get involved with “Stand up Enniston,” a counterdemonstration that garners support from community figures. He also learns from Myla that Samira and Saeed have relocated to Minneapolis. In a surprising turn of events, Uncle Paul, who previously exhibited prejudices, shows his support for “Stand up Enniston” by bringing Donnie in his wheelchair to the event. Somali student Ibrahim delivers a speech during the gathering, expressing camaraderie with his soccer team and acknowledging Tom’s impact on their lives. Reflecting on Saeed’s lasting influence, Tom realizes that Saeed’s presence will continue to be felt in his life forever.