Title: You’d Be Home Now
Author: Kathleen Glasgow
Publisher: Random House Children’s
Publication date: September 28, 2021
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Summary
Emory has spent most of her life being defined by other people in her small town of Mill Haven. After her and her brother Joey were in a car accident that killed one of their classmates, everything changes. Especially when the car accident shows just how bad Joey’s drug habit had gotten.
Once Joey is back from rehab, Emory has to be his support as he tries to get his life back on track. But that’s hard when the rest of the community has different expectations. And all of her friends give up on her due to the accident and her parents are pretty much absent. For most of her life, Emory has tried to be invisible, to blend in. But maybe, it’s time for her to finally stand up for herself–and her family.
Review: You’d Be Home Now
Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this to review! Kathleen Glasgow always tackles important issues with such grace, and this book is no different. Her writing is so effortless and realistic, and you’ll be sure to be immediately drawn into the story.
This book approaches addiction so realistically, especially when looking at Emory’s relationship with Jack. After Jack goes to rehab, his family believes if he just sticks to certain rules, he’ll be cured of his addiction. He’ll be able to get back to a normal life. However, as Emory learns more about addiction and watches him struggle, she realizes that this isn’t the case. Addiction isn’t something easy to overcome, and those who struggle with it need flexibility.
In addition to Jack’s own struggles with addiction, Glasgow also shows how this is a systemic problem as well. Jack’s story is one that, unfortunately, a lot of people will probably relate to. Prescribed an addictive drug. We see this in an entire community in Mill Haven, and this is happening in small towns all over the country.
While the book maybe didn’t quite need to be as long as it was, I think the events included at the end were important in giving all of the characters closure. We see how parts of a community can come together to support each other, and we get to see high school students taking a stand for themselves. Emory also gains the courage to make her voice heard, and when she does, it’s such a powerful moment in the story.
Glasgow’s books are always sure to take an emotional toll, but they are an important addition to the YA realm. The issues are hard-hitting, important topics, and I hope that these stories will make it into the hands that need them.
4.5/5 stars