The Wrong Way Home
By Kate O’Shaughnessy
Realistic Fiction
* * * * Stars (Great!)
Frankie (Fern) and her mom (Jamie) live in an “off-the-grid, self-sustaining community” run by Dr. Ben. On the “Ranch” they eschew technology and practices that are harmful to the Earth, and chemicals that are bad for the environment. They grow their own food and make their own clothes – all under Dr. Ben’s guidance. Fern worships Dr. Ben and when he tells her she’s ready to perform a ritual that will allow her to take on adult responsibilities, she’s pleased and proud. Her mother? Not so much. The last young person who attempted the ritual died, and Jamie has learned some disturbing things about Dr. Ben. So Fern finds herself in a rundown car, piloted by her desperate mother, on their way to who knows where. Their final destination turns out to be Driftaway Beach, in California, where Jamie has arranged a job for herself and a place to stay (with the assistance of some other folks who also escaped the Ranch). Fern has a lot of Feelings about all of this (fear, confusion, fury, sadness). Mostly she just wants to go back to the Ranch where everything made sense. Instead, she has to go to school, and deal with being the new kid, and discover just how much she doesn’t know about the world the Ranch has left behind. It’s terrifying, exhausting, and exhilarating. Despite the many good things about Driftaway Beach (making a new friend, rekindling a relationship with Jamie’s godparent, Babs, expanding her knowledge of the world), Fern is more determined than ever to get back to the Ranch – and she’s got a plan to do so. She’s going to send a letter to Dr. Ben, who will understand that her mother is going through a tough time, and he will come and get them. If only she knew his last name. Or the address of the Ranch. Or how to send a letter. Learning and engaging in some of the technology and practices strictly forbidden by Dr. Ben are going to be how Fern finds her way “home” again.
A realistic story of a girl’s struggle to find her way in a new place and her gradual de-programming after being an unsuspecting member of a cult. There’s a little suspense and tension when the Ranch gets involved, but Fern handles things in a cool-headed manner, and finds immediate support from other adults around her. For middle grade readers – grades 5-8.
Reviewed by YA Librarian
