Tag the only way home

Seven Novels That I Still Can’t Put Down

Reg Spittle Leave a comment

Looking for a novel with a compelling human angle? Here are seven I enjoyed very much; click on the links to read my brief reviews. I would love to hear your thoughts about any or all of them.

Boy at the Crossroads, by Mary Ford. Conley Ford, 13 years old, can no longer cope with his impoverished life that includes an abusive father. Bad choices on the road are offset by his appearance that makes him look 17. His final crossroad may surprise you.

Camino Club, by Kevin Craig. Six wayward teenagers are sentenced for their crimes. Their punishment–to walk Spain’s Camino de Santiago–delivers them to places they never imagined. I almost finished this in one day, it was such a gripping story.

Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse. Siddhartha is a handsome young Brahman who is wealthy, exceptionally intelligent, and loved. He seems to have it all, but he feels unfulfilled. In this classic, he sets out to find fulfillment.

13 Reasons Why, by Jay Asher. Whether or not you watched the popular Netflix series, this book weaves depression and teen angst with scenes of bullying, rumor-mongering, stalking, lying, and a horrific crime. A teen suicide sets off the intriguing story.

The Humans, by Matt Haig. A sci-fi story by one of the most-read British authors. An alien comes to Earth with a mission to kill, but human nature intercedes–in most cases. A moving story with playful scenes. One of the best books I have read in 2023.

Okay for Now, by Gary D. Schmidt. I loved this book so much that I sent a copy to each of my three adult sons. To be honest, I wished they were kids again and I could read it aloud with them, like I did with countless stories when they were growing up. A coming-of-age story that will tickle your funny bone and touch your heart. Truly an exceptional book.

The Only Way Home, by Jeanette Minniti. It is 1933, the depth of the Great Depression and the low point of 15-year-old Robert’s life. His father has died and his mother seeks ways to feed her five children. They lose their home and move into a tiny house. Robert, like many other older children of the times, makes decisions adults would find daunting.

A Desperate Teenager Searches for the Way Home

Reg Spittle Leave a comment

It is 1933, the depth of the Great Depression and the low point of 15-year-old Robert’s life. His father has died and his mother seeks ways to feed her five children. They lose their home and move into a tiny house.

In The Only Way Home, Jeanette Minniti describes how Robert, like many other older children of the times, makes decisions adults would find daunting.

Robert, a sensitive, vulnerable, strong-willed kid, leaves home with his friend Johnny to find work so they can bring home money to their families. They leave Illinois and head south, jumping into freight cars on trains that claimed the lives of many during the difficult times. Their luck is slim and Johnny returns home, leaving Robert to endure hunger, danger, and law enforcement. He meets 17-year-old Tucker and they quickly bond while scraping together small jobs and inventing ways to find enough food to get by. But not enough to return home.

They ride trains, even atop a passenger car, and warily meet hobos. Meanwhile, Robert’s mom longs to know his whereabouts and if he is still alive. Robert realizes his mom must be worried, but he won’t quit until he earns enough money to make a difference for his family.

His resilience, a violin, and his musical talent play roles in this moving story. So do several programs, including the Civilian Conservation Corps, created during the Franklin Roosevelt administration.

This is Minniti’s debut novel and I eagerly anticipate her next book. The Only Way Home captivated me. Being a child of poverty and raised by an immigrant mother who cleaned homes and hospital rooms to keep food on our table, I can relate to the family’s struggles, but I never faced the challenges Robert tackled. As a young adult, my mom had lived through the Depression, which raised the bar of desperation and hardship.

Question is, does Robert ever find his way home?