24 Hours in Nowhere

Gus, who has big plans to get out of his hometown of Nowhere, is rescued from a bully by Rossi Scott, who gives up her dirt bike as a result, and Gus and his friends go into Dead Frenchman Mine to search for gold to buy a new bike for Rossi before her big race.
Welcome to Nowhere, Arizona, America&;s least livable town. For Gus, a bright 13-year-old with dreams of escaping, life there is made even worse by bully Bo Taylor. When Bo tries to force Gus to eat a spiny cactus, Rossi Scott, one of the best racers in Nowhere, rescues him by relinquishing her prized dirt bike. Gus agrees to do anything to get it back&;even if it means going into a deadly mine to hunt for gold. A gripping story about friendship, hope, and finding the power within ourselves.
&;Reminiscent of Louis Sachar&;s Holes with its quirky characters and unique desert setting, this is a middle-grade read that will easily transport readers somewhere special.&; &;School Library Journal (Starred review) When you come from Nowhere, can you ever really make it anywhere? Author Dusti Bowling returns to the desert to create another gripping story about friendship, hope, and finding the power we all have within ourselves. Now available in paperback! Welcome to Nowhere, Arizona, the least livable town in the United States. For Gus, a bright 13-year-old with dreams of getting out and going to college, life there is made even worse by Bo Taylor, Nowhere&;s biggest, baddest bully. When Bo tries to force Gus to eat a dangerously spiny cactus, Rossi Scott, one of the best racers in Nowhere, comes to his rescue&;but in return she has to give Bo her prized dirt bike. Determined to buy it back, Gus agrees to go searching for gold in Dead Frenchman Mine, joined by his old friend Jessie, Rossi, and even Bo&;s sidekick, Matthew. As they race against the clock hunting for treasure, narrowly surviving everything from cave-ins to mountain lions, they bond over shared stories of how hard life in Nowhere is&;and they realize this adventure just may be their way out.