Synopsis

The Wrong Way Home is a middle-grade novel about Fern, a girl who has grown up in a secluded off-the-grid community where she has been taught to fear the outside world. When a sudden and frightening event forces her to leave the only home she has ever known, Fern must adjust to a completely new life with unfamiliar people, new rules, and a very different understanding of truth. As she slowly uncovers secrets about her past and the community she came from, she begins to question what she was taught and learns to think for herself. The story explores themes of identity, trust, courage, family, and the meaning of home.

About the Author

Kate O’Shaughnessy is an American children’s author known for writing emotionally rich and character-driven middle-grade novels. Her work often focuses on young people facing complex personal challenges and finding their own voice. Through realistic storytelling and strong themes of resilience and self-discovery, she creates stories that encourage empathy and thoughtful reflection in young readers.