Homecoming

December 1, 2014
Grades 8-11 Did her father really do what that girl, Morgan, accused him of? After being in prison for 16 months, he's been released, and Fiona still isn't sure what to believe, and her nagging doubt makes it impossible for her to ask him for answers. Seeking escape from ruthless harassment at school and awkward silences at home, Fiona starts hanging out with a cousin, who runs with an older, harder crowd. She is soon hitting the party circuit on a regular basis, but after overhearing a casual comment by a drunken partygoer, Fiona learns everything she needs to know about what happened that night her father was arrested. There are no easy answers in this compelling story, which exposes the damage that can result from one thoughtless act. Dakers effectively captures the social nuances of high school, and Fiona's voice is authentic in its honesty and confusion. Impressive in its brevity and strength of voice, this is a fine addition to the Orca Soundings line and will speak to a wide audience of readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)