I don't read much YA literature these days, but I picked this one up because of the author. I have read most of the Bell Elkins series and find Keller's writing wonderful. This book did not disappoint for YA lit. I was at one time a middle school English teacher, and I read the books that my students liked to read, so I am familiar with the genre. This book looks at what happens when a parent returns from war shattered in more ways than one. The characters and how they react and handle the changes in their lives are realistic. This is not a sugar-coated, magical happy ending story but one that would speak to a young person who might be facing a similar situation. ( )

This book very effectively describes the changes and conflicting emotions a family goes through when the father returns severely injured from the Iraq War. Rachel's dad is no longer the vibrant man she remembers and his brain injury interferes with his ability to get better. She observes how the change has impacted how the family interacts, and admits to private feelings that give her guilt (being relieved when her father is moved to a care facility, for one). At times, Rachel's observations seem far too wise and experienced for a 13-year-old. Still, the book is very good at exploring the effects of a family tragedy and demonstrating that coping can be a roller coaster. ( )

Personal response:

A short but strong book narrated by a 13 year old girl whose father has suffered traumatic brain injury in Iraq. His return home in a wheel chair with little desire to become communicative or self sufficient affect the family in adverse ways. The way the family is seen slipping into dysfunction alerts the reader as to how many families must be struggling when this type of event ocurrs. Not a happy little tome, but one that adds to knowledge about families in crisis and how they do or do not cope.

Cirriculum/programming connections:

Can create a display on War, War injuries, Brain injury, disabled, veterans, families in crisis.

Reviewed by hoopsielv for TeensReadToo.com

It should be a joyous time for Rachel, her mom, and her siblings, Marcy and Robbie. Her father is coming home from Iraq. They should be celebrating and creating new memories together as a family.

Things will never be the same, though. Her father was injured while overseas. He's lost an arm and a leg and also has some brain damage. He's got to learn most things over again and spends time first at a rehabilitation center before coming home.

At first, it doesn't even seem like Dad is home. He just sits there. Rachel knows she must step up and help. She struggles to figure out how. Is Dad really not capable or has he lost the will to try? Will their family always be like this?

BACK HOME is a realistic novel about a family trying to pull together and be one during a difficult adjustment. It is full of touching moments. I would strongly recommend this book! ( )

Back Home was a very emotional, real, and valid book. I'm so surprised I haven't encountered a book dealing with children of people hurt in the Iraqi war. Maybe there are some out there but I haven't encountered them.

I found Rachel to be a really insightful narrator. Though she is 13 I was surprised how much she was willing to admit to rather than avoid the truth and make things up. I think she could be a role model for children going through the same situation. It was also nice that she had two younger siblings and we could see what it was like for them to go through, how they all reacted differently.

The book really shed some light on traumatic brain injuries and how it may look like someone isn't trying or they don't care, but that's not it at all. Because of their injury their brain isn't sending the right signals to the rest of the body to respond the way it should.

Because of her father's condition, slowly her friends begin to lose touch so most of the book is centered around her home life. I think I would have liked to see Rachel outside of her home a little more, maybe in school to really see more of how it impacted her schooling and friendships.

I wondered if the book would touch on the sides people take in a war and it did, I think in just the right way. It wasn't really the center of the book but both sides of the fence were talked about. I also really liked how the book didn't shy away from anything and I found the ending to be very realistic.

Definitely an interesting and important book! ( )