Fern can barely remember life before the Ranch. The members of this self-sustaining community in New York work hard to grow their own food and make their own clothes. But the more she learns, the more Fern wonders whether the world outside the Ranch is really as bad as she’s been led to believe.
On the Ranch, Fern helps the community grow food and make clothes. Everyone takes care of each other. But one man is in charge: Dr. Ben. Fern thinks Dr. Ben is a wise guide; but after six long years, her mom no longer agrees.
After Fern’s mom tricks her into leaving, she and Fern drive across the country to the California coast. She has a job lined up as a housekeeper at a motel and is ready to embrace a new beginning.
Fern can’t believe her mom has betrayed her. She is afraid of this strange new world full of technology and toxic chemicals. Ultimately, Fern knows she needs to make her way home. As she searches for information and answers for how to contact someone at the Ranch, Fern also finds herself struggling to make friends and fit in at school. The isolation on the Ranch means there’s a lot she doesn’t know.
But the longer she’s away from the Ranch, the more Fern starts to wonder about Dr. Ben and his teachings. The world she discovers outside the Ranch is more beautiful than she could have imagined. As Fern tries to find a way back, she realizes she must face an uncomfortable question: Is life inside the Ranch more dangerous than one outside its fences?
A convent and heaven are mentioned.
Fern wonders if souls are real. Fern prays, though it’s not clear exactly to whom she’s praying.
The Ranch is a cult. Fern and her mother lived as members of it for six years. Some beliefs of the cult, such as the ocean being infinite and full of power, are discussed.
Another character named Eddie has parents who are into myths. Magic, legends, wizards, witches, ghosts, fairies, bigfoot and the Loch Ness monster are all mentioned.
One girl asks Fern if she’s Amish. Truth is described as being relative. Fern throws flowers into the ocean as an offering to the Spirit of the Sea.
Fern tells a friend that she looks like a possessed turtle. Some characters believe that there’s a climate crisis.
Dr. Ben has absolute power at the Ranch. He manipulates and abuses people, and he has a bad temper. Dr. Ben steals money from those who agree to live on the Ranch, and he a criminal record.
Members of the ranch are taught to believe that some elements of modern medicine are poison. Later on, Fern’s mom must hold her down as she resists so that a doctor can give her a shot.
Fern’s mom lies and says they’re going on an errand for Dr. Ben in order to get Fern to leave with her. She works hard to provide Fern and get her reacclimated to the world outside the Ranch.
Eddie’s parents want to prove myths are true because they believe the Loch Ness monster killed Eddie’s sister.
A boy at the Ranch breaks his arm and has a cut above his eye, and a different boy dies while trying to complete his rite of passage. Eddie breaks her leg, pierces her spleen and hits her head trying to climb a bluff. Eddie’s sister drowns. We hear references to war and to a funeral.
Dr. Ben yells at a man and knocks a plate out of his hands. Dr. Ben has a kitten killed because it was blind.
Characters reference drinking margaritas and wine.
Fern’s grandmother’s best friend, Babs, is a lesbian. Babs was married to a woman who died, now she’s dating the principal, Ms. Diaz. One woman is described as having large “boobs.” A librarian identifies as gender fluid and uses they/them pronouns.
Fern insinuates that Dr. Ben has a sexual relationship with one of the women at the Ranch whom he isn’t married to. She also says she was born because her mom had a one-night stands the young scientist running the camp she’ll be attending.
None.
The Wrong Way Home contains a good deal of problematic content, and the storyline could be scary for some children.
Additionally, discernment is especially critical with this story because of the Fern’s involvement with cult. Though members emphasize the importance of community, we still read about dangerous and manipulative relationships.
The Wrong Way Home also emphasizes LGBT relationships, as well as beliefs about sexuality and gender, that conflict with a Christian worldview.
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Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not necessarily their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. The inclusion of a book’s review does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.
Rachel Pfeiffer serves as Editor of Focus on the Family Clubhouse magazine, where she acquires and crafts stories to entertain and disciple children. She graduated from Taylor University with a degree in professional writing and Moody Theological Seminary with an MA in Biblical Studies. When she’s not curled up with a good book, she can often be found hiking the beautiful Colorado Rockies.
