175 reviews for:

The Wrong Way Home

Kate O'Shaughnessy

4.37 AVERAGE

jmwilson's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-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

mrsheidrich's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

eglorioso's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging 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: Complicated

emstewart23's review against another edition

5.0

---

What a beautiful and unique story. Wow. This was immensely powerful and very deserving of a Newbery Honor. This would lead to great discussion for sure. 

middleschoollib's review against another edition

adventurous challenging 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

---

The Wrong Way Home features an unreliable narrator, who rather than intentionally leading the reader astray, actually believes their version of the truth. 

Franky, who initially refers to herself by her new name, Fern, has been living at the sustainable living ranch since she was six years old. Doctor Ben is the leader of this commune, and his version of reality is the only one that Franky knows. Doctor Ben, seeing something in Fern, has decided that she is to have her coming of age ceremony early. Since the last ranch member who had a coming of age ceremony died during the process, mom is understandably upset. Waking Fern early the following day, mom steals Fern away from the commune. Now, she must return to mainstream society. As she meets teachers, students, and a librarian, Fern’s mind opens to new possibilities and information. When Doctor Ben returns to take her back to the commune, Fern finally sees the value in choices and free will and becomes Franky in earnest. 

magicshoes's review against another edition

5.0

emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

jess_craft's review

5.0

---

Loved it

maegan_b's review against another edition

emotional hopeful tense 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: Complicated

bluestar_of_thunderclan's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

ericalarsen's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional hopeful mysterious 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

---

I'm blown away. I see my mom in Frankie's, and myself right after leaving the church in Frankie. This was beautiful, and the characters & setting felt so real, tangible... highly, highly recommend.