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4.37 AVERAGE
4.37 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Twelve is a hard time in life to question everything you know about what is morally right and wrong. For Fern the two dominate adults in her life, her mother and the Dr. Ben, the leader of her community, are suddenly at odds. Her mother breaks away from The Ranch, the only place Fern has ever called home, in the middle of the night and drags her across the country. Now she is out in the world full of toxins, vaccines, and wicked novels. Fern will do whatever it takes to get back to her only known safety.
The author does a masterful job of weaving the complexity of right and wrong through many different perspectives. For middle-grade, this is a book about the power of cult thinking, without getting too dark.
The author does a masterful job of weaving the complexity of right and wrong through many different perspectives. For middle-grade, this is a book about the power of cult thinking, without getting too dark.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This middle grade read does not talk down to young readers, knowing they’re capable and interested in grappling with big topics. Grief, power and control, friendship, and cult dynamics are just a few of the things covered here. The main character is coming to the story so uninformed and following her intellectual journey is fascinating. There are even moments of true suspense. I believe this book appeals to readers of all ages and genders.
I am struggling to add the content warning here. Anyone who was raised in a high control culture, religious or otherwise, will have a few triggering moments.
I am struggling to add the content warning here. Anyone who was raised in a high control culture, religious or otherwise, will have a few triggering moments.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fern, aka Frankie, has lived at the Ranch with her mom since she was little. One early morning her mom comes to her telling her the community leader, Dr. Ben, has a special errand they need to take care of. But to Fern it feels wrong and before she knows it, the are on the run. They land on the other side of the country in California (from upstate NY). They live in a motel where mom (Jamie aka Magnolia) cleans rooms. Fern is a fish out of water who knows nothing about history, pop culture, etc. Now in school, the one class she loves is science. They find Babs, her grandmother’s good friend. She is thrilled Jamie and Frankie are there. Fern misses the routine at the Ranch and her best friend, but she doesn’t know how to get back or even in touch with anyone there. After months of searching and hiring a PI, she sends a letter. Dr. Ben and her BFF come to get her but they lie. At the first stop she realizes all is wrong. She gets the waitress to call the cops. Her mom comes for her and they are going to stay put for a while.
Interesting fish out of water story.
Interesting fish out of water story.
I had to sit with this one for a bit after I finished. O'Shaughnessy is gifted with "found family" stories -- the settings and characters in The Wrong Way Home are fantastic and so realistic. This story will lead to many conversations about friendship and making the world a better place, but be careful with sensitive readers (several peripheral characters pass away off screen and there is one kidnapping attempt that might scare some kids).
(I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
(I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)