yapha 's review for:

The Wrong Way Home by Kate O'Shaughnessy

4.5

adventurous emotional informative reflective 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: Yes

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Fern has been living on The Ranch since she was six years old, faithfully following the rules and guidance of Dr. Ben. Now at 12, she doesn't remember much about her life before. They are completely off the grid in rural upstate NY. Her mother wakes her up in the middle of the night and sneaks them both away, escaping across the country. All Fern wants to do is go back. She doesn't understand why her mother would want them to live in the dangerous world when they could be safe at The Ranch. (The reader will be able to see The Ranch for what it is and be glad that Fern is out of there.) As she spends more time in California, she begins to question some of the truths she learned at The Ranch, but not before she almost ruins everything they have. Highly recommended for grades 5 & up.