THE WRONG WAY HOME

Life outside a cult seems full of danger to a girl who yearns for the safety of her oppressive but familiar home.

Twelve-year-old Fern’s mother suddenly takes her from the only stable home she’s ever known, the place they settled when she was 6, following years of upheaval. In the dark of night, the two escape the compound ruled by Dr. Ben, the patriarchal leader of the Ranch, their “sustainable futurist community.” Driving away from New York, they end up in tiny Driftaway Beach, California. Fern immediately develops a plan to get back to Dr. Ben, whose messages she’s internalized; after all, he claimed to be preparing them to survive war and climate change. But as she acclimates to life outside the Ranch, Fern begins to value being able to make her own decisions. Does she even want to follow Dr. Ben’s vision of life? The Spirit of the Sea, a local myth about the ghost of a lighthouse keeper that haunts the cliffs above town, provides a parallel for exploring the psychology of grief and the truths we tell ourselves. Many tweens will relate to feeling controlled, sheltered, and lied to as they seek their independence. O’Shaughnessy succeeds in raising awareness by bringing the abuse of cult communities to light through a gripping storyline and beautifully imperfect supporting characters. Fern, who’s cued white, matures in her understanding that what and who you choose to believe in is of consequence.

A strong, emotionally intelligent story.