Fern is trying to find her way back to the only home she remembers in middle grade novel The Wrong Way Home by Kate O’Shaughnessy (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2024). Fern has lived on the Ranch since she was six, so when her mom sneaks her away, she is shocked and distressed. As she faces the people and situations that exist outside of the isolated Ranch, she starts to wonder if the things Doctor Ben has told her are actually true. Could he be a liar?
Her mother has taken Fern out of the Ranch, which is actually a cult, in order for them to return to their own lives, independent from Doctor Ben’s lies. But Fern is determined to find a way back to the safe environment that feels like home to her. She cannot believe that it is a bad place. After all, they are saving the environment, living sustainably, and living together in a happy “family” environment. Now she faces things she is completely unfamiliar with, such as cell phones, the buzzing of electricity, medicine, and even processed food. In their new home on the Pacific coast, Fern begins to learn the truth about the world, make friends, and put her unique skills and interests to work. Her transformation is gradual as she learns that maybe she can make an even bigger difference in the world by making her own choices outside of the Ranch and Uncle Ben’s teachings. There are a lot of things she hasn’t learned in her life yet!
The Wrong Way Home is a gorgeous story of self-discovery for Fern, whose real name is Frankie. She learns to let go of fear (all those unknown “scary” things Doctor Ben had warned her about). She learns that she has interests beyond those assigned to her at the Ranch, such as working outdoors rather than knitting. Even more importantly, she learns to develop true relationships. She learns to be a friend, a true friend, even when the friend is making different choices. Fern learns what it means to be a daughter and to have a true family.
The novel has a strong emphasis on environmental conservativism. There are hints that there is some kind of abuse at the ranch, but none sounds like sexual assault. Any discussions about questionable issues sounds more like physical abuse. Ben is a fantastically developed villain. The reader can clearly tell from his dialogue that he is a villain and doesn’t have Fern’s best interests in mind. But, at the same time, the reader can see how his lies could confuse Fern. We can sympathize with her, since his leadership is all she remembers.
There is so much in this book. The characters are three-dimensional, not just including Fern and her new friend Eddie, but also Fern’s mother, the friend (Babs) from the tea shop, and the caring teacher. I thought the writing was fantastic, the plotting perfectly timed, and the characters memorable. The setting is distinct and memorable. It feels like a character in the book. I’ll be thinking of Fern’s journey to self-discovery for a long time. She discovered her own inner power and ability to choose, and that is a beautiful thing.
The Wrong Way Home was named a Newbery Honor book this week (January 2025) and is highly deserving of recognition. I thought so immediately after I read it. I highly recommend it.
Newbery rating scale: FANTASTIC | REALLY GOOD | PRETTY GOOD | OKAY | BLAH
What to do with this Newbery: KEEP IT AND READ IT | MAYBE IF YOU HAVE TIME | DON’T BOTHER
