Summary: The Wrong Way Home
Fern and her mother have been living on The Ranch under the thumb of a charismatic leader named Dr. Ben. One day, Fern’s mom sneaks herself and Fern across the country from NY to CA, where they live in a motel in her mother’s teenage neighborhood. Although it quickly becomes obvious to readers that Fern and her mom have escaped a cult, Fern is confused, misses the stability of living a regimented life, and worries about returning to the unstable lifestyle she and her mother had before The Ranch. As a result, she starts plotting — unbeknownst to her mother — to return to The Ranch.
The Good
This book is mind-blowing in the best way. First off, the premise is SO FRESH, especially in the gentle way, thought-provoking way it’s handled for a younger audience. O’Shaughnessy helps kids think through what a cult means and the need for more than blind followership, no matter the cause. I also enjoyed the way she explores Fern’s relationship with her mother and we get to learn about her mom’s backstory, how they ended up at The Ranch, and why she decided it was time to leave.
While Fern’s mother is cutting ties and trying to stay far away from their former home, Fern is actively working against her, looking for ways to get back in contact with Dr. Ben. This contrast creates suspense as readers race to the end to see how things play out for Fern and her mother and whether Fern will ever come to the right conclusions. The situation also makes Fern a flawed, messy protagonist for whom readers are sure to cycle between emotions like irritation, compassion, and support.
Finally, just as Fern feels so real and relatable, all the characters in this story feel well-rounded and the Driftbay area where Fern and her mother settle is so atmospheric — almost a character in the story itself. This was such a superb story and I was thrilled to see it win a Newbery Honor in 2025.
The Wrong Way Home
The Wrong Way Home is an unforgettable, propulsive story of a girl learning to trust her inner voice. With a fresh premise, compelling characters, and an atmospheric setting, this book is impossible to put down. It tackles cults, a rarely mentioned subject in children’s literature, with age-appropriate sensitivity and is sure to spark plenty of discussion in and out of the classroom.
Star Rating
Content Notes
Here are some specifics to know about the content.
Content Warnings
- Death: None on the page
- Alcohol/substance abuse: None
- Sexual content: None
- Violence: None
- Religious content: None
- Language: None
Diversity
- Ethnic: Main characters cued white. One side character is Black and another is mixed race
- Sexual orientation: One character is gay, and another identifies as nonbinary.
Recommended for ages: 10+
Good for kids who like:
- Realistic fiction
- Stories about cults
- Books by Kate O’Shaughnessy
Publisher Details
| Publisher details | Knopf Books for Young Readers |
| Author: | Kate O’Shaughnessy |
| Illustrator: | N/A |
| Publication date: | April 2, 2024 |
| Audiobook? | Yes, Libro.Fm |
| Page count: | 336 |
| Cover artists | Designer: | Michelle Cunningham | Shelley Couvillion |
Buy This Book
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