You'd Be Home Now
on Goodreads (68,091)
What’s inside...
From the internationally bestselling author of Girl in Pieces and How to Make Friends with the Dark, comes a breathtaking contemporary YA novel about addiction, family, and finding your voice. Emmy has always been the quiet, obedient, and reliable one in her family, not strong-willed like her sister Maddie or in rehab like her brother Joey. But when a tragic accident changes life in her small town forever, Emmy is forced to question her role and identity. Through raw and honest storytelling, this novel explores the struggles of addiction and the journey to self-discovery. From the New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces comes a breathtaking story about a town, its tragedies, and the quiet beauty of everyday life. For all of Emory's life she's been told who she is. In town she's the rich one--the great-great-granddaughter of the mill's founder. At school she's hot Maddie Ward's younger sister. And at home, she's the good one, her stoner older brother Joey's babysitter. Everything was turned on its head, though, when she and Joey were in the car accident that killed Candy MontClaire. The car accident that revealed just how bad Joey's drug habit was. Four months later, Emmy's junior year is starting, Joey is home from rehab, and the entire town of Mill Haven is still reeling from the accident. Everyone's telling Emmy who she is, but so much has changed, how can she be the same person? Or was she ever that person at all? Mill Haven wants everyone to live one story, but Emmy's beginning to see that people are more than they appear. Her brother, who might not be cured, the popular guy who lives next door, and most of all, many ghostie addicts who haunt the edges of the town. People spend so much time telling her who she is--it might be time to decide for herself. Inspired by the American classic Our Town, You'd Be Home Now is Kathleen Glasgow's glorious modern story of a town and the secret lives people live there. And the story of a girl, figuring out life in all its pain and beauty and struggle and joy.
Age
15-18
Length
400 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Emory Ward
Maddie Ward
Joey Ward
Harriet Ward
Discussion points
How do the characters' experiences in the book differ from your own? What can we learn from their challenges and triumphs?
What does the concept of 'home' mean to you, and how does it compare to its depiction in the story?
The book touches on themes of responsibility and recovery. How do you think the main character handles the challenges presented to them?
Change is a significant theme in 'You'd Be Home Now.' Can you think of a time when you had to adapt to a big change? How did you feel?
What are some ways the community in the book supports or doesn't support the characters? How important is community in our own lives?
Tip: Role play these questions
Read the book along with your child, or alternate reading chapters. This shared experience can deepen your discussion and understanding of the story.
Encourage your child to relate the book to their own experiences. Personal connections to the story can make the themes more meaningful and memorable.
Highlight the growth of the characters throughout the book. Discussing their development can help your child understand the importance of resilience and change.
Use the book as a starting point to discuss difficult topics. The themes of addiction, recovery, and personal responsibility are handled thoughtfully and can be educational.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The book portrays the struggles of a family dealing with addiction and recovery. Through the character Emory, readers observe the complexities of loving someone with an addiction.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to approach peers or family members who face challenges with greater empathy and strive to understand their circumstances rather than passing judgment.
Example Lesson: Resilience in adversity
Explanation: Throughout the story, Emory faces various personal and family challenges but strives to find her own identity and voice. Her journey illustrates the power of resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to persevere through their personal challenges, emphasizing that they can emerge stronger and more self-aware.
Example Lesson: Importance of support systems
Explanation: The book highlights the role of community, friends, and family in supporting individuals through tough times.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of seeking support from those around them and being a supportive friend or family member in return.
Example Lesson: Consequences of choices
Explanation: The characters in the story make various choices that lead to significant consequences. The narrative illustrates how decisions can alter one’s path.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to consider the outcomes of their actions and to think critically about the choices they make.
Example Lesson: Healing is a personal journey
Explanation: Emory’s story shows that healing is not linear and varies from person to person.
Real-World Application: It encourages children to understand and respect each person’s unique process of healing and growth, including their own.