Gabriel Bump's debut novel, 'Everywhere You Don't Belong', is a poignant tale following Claude McKay Love, an ordinary young man navigating the tumultuous landscape of South Side Chicago. Raised by his civil rights-focused grandmother, Claude grapples with abandonment, urban violence, and personal disorientation amidst societal upheavals. More than anything, he seeks a place to belong. As he grows up, life's milestones inch him closer to independence, from youthful basketball dreams and first loves to heartbreak and choosing a college. However, the persistent challenge of carving out an identity in a racially charged America looms heavily. Claude's journey is a search for escape, understanding, and a home that may be more a state of the heart than a physical location. 'Everywhere You Don't Belong' is a candid exploration of adolescence, race, and the longing for connection in a world that often feels alienating.