Kathleen, Please Come Home

by Scott O'Dell

A new friend at school and her own personal problems lead Kathleen to run away and eventually fall victim to heroin and an unwanted pregnancy

Genres: Young Adult, Modern Classics, Literary Fiction, Fiction, Realistic Fiction

196 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Scott O'Dell was an American author celebrated for his historical fiction, especially novels for young readers. He is best known for Island of the Blue Dolphins, a classic that earned the Newbery Medal and has been translated into many languages and adapted for film. Over his career he wrote more than two dozen novels for young people, as well as works of nonfiction and adult fiction, often drawing on the history and landscapes of California and Mexico. His books, including The King’s Fifth, The Black Pearl, and Sing Down the Moon, earned him multiple Newbery Honors and a wide readership. O'Dell received numerous awards for his contribution to children’s literature, among them the Hans Christian Andersen Award and the Regina Medal. In 1984, he established the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction to encourage outstanding works in the genre.

Reviews

[Shahrun · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think I enjoyed this book. I'm guessing it's a bit of a diluted moral warning to kids to stay away from drugs? Maybe it's just me. I simply didn't find this book particularly shocking. I struggled to connect with or care about the characters. I don't feel there was much emotional depth to them (even though it was written in diary format - which should be quite intimate right?). The only reason I kept on reading was waiting for something dramatic to happen. When it did, it was an anti climax, due to the detached way I was feeling about the book. It just wasn't as exciting to me as it was pretending to be from the description on the back of the book.

[Jennifer Sherwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book even though the ending is unusual.

[Heidi Grether · Rating 3 out of 5]

PECHA KUCHA AUTHOR

This book by Scott O'Dell deals with many of the issues contemporary with the time it was written. Kathleen, after getting mixed up with the wrong friends, slowly spirals into being addicted to drugs. Additionally, she becomes engaged to an illegal immigrant at the age of 17, and becomes pregnant with his baby. When her fiance is killed by the border patrol, she runs away to Mexico and slips further into drug addiction. However, she learns to recover and eventually tries to come home. This book was very interesting to read, especially because it was in journal format. Even though this book was written in the 70's, it's difficult adolescent issues are still very relevant to today's generation. In this sense, it shows the consistency of human nature and behavior. Although the book jacket says that this book is for ages 13+, I would argue that it is for an older audience because of its direct address of issues such as sex, drugs, pregnancy, and rebellion.

[Spencer · Rating 1 out of 5]

2020
Definitely not the book for me.

It was a bit preachy about drugs (drugs are bad, m'kay). And young love. Like, I don't disagree with Kathleen's mother - 15/16 are very young ages to be getting married, especially when you haven't even thought about where you'd be living as a young couple. And I don't know how Kathleen expected her mom to be cool with them getting married when the mom hadn't even met Ramon.

Stopped reading about halfway through because I was just disinterested in the story.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remember reading this book in my youth. Very interesting to revisit so many years later. Probably originally acquired the book because it was by Scott Odell, but this is a far cry from Island of the Blue Dolphins. Much as I remembered, not as hokey as I feared.

[Discoverylover · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was slightly dated, but it still had a pretty good story! I was kind of expecting the book to be a bit darker than it was, I wouldn't exactly describe it as a journey from hell (not a journey from heaven either though!). A slightly more tame version of 'Go Ask Alice'.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. A must for teens, but very depressing. I didn't expect it to end the way it did. Kinda surprised by the ending.

[Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read but a sad one

[TimeToRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of drama going on in this novel but its amazing and I really loved it

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved this book so much. it was so sad and i couldnt put it down!

[Brianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book in a box of old books in my cellar. I really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down but the ending was a bit disappointing.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good until the end which was rather abrupt. The story was decent but expected a different ending.

[Kyla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I had already skimmed almost the entire thing a few times before. I think the drug use and teenage pregnancy that was depicted was inaccurate. If you haven't read this book, don't read this book. :)