Outside by Holm, Jennifer L.

From three-time Newbery Honor winner Jennifer L. Holm, a chilling but heartfelt story of a girl being raised in a compound who doesn't understand how isolated and unusual her life is... until she must encounter the outside world.

Whatever you do, don't leave home.

Razzi has always been told: Don't go Outside. It isn't safe. There are people and creatures out there that will harm you. The walls of the Refuge will protect you from them.

Razzi's friend Ollie was curious about Outside... and it led to his death. So Razzi is trying to be on her best behavior. She is the oldest kid left, the one the younger kids look up to. She has to follow the rules.

But Outside has a way of getting in, and Razzi, guided by a dog she has a strangely close connection with, wonders what it's like to run free beyond the walls.

If she steps away from everything she's ever known... what will she find?

Author: Jennifer L. Holm
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Published: 10/07/2025
Pages: 240
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.40w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9781546138143
Audience: Ages 9-12

Review Citation(s):
Booklist 07/01/2025 pg. 83
Publishers Weekly 07/14/2025
Kirkus Reviews 08/01/2025

About the Author
JENNIFER L. HOLM is the New York Times bestselling and three-time Newbery Honor-winning author of multiple novels for young readers. With her brother Matthew, Jennifer created the graphic novel series Babymouse and Squish. She lives in California.