This book was a tough read for me because of the (very real) hatred that Samir and his family face in their New Hampshire town because of their immigration status. His family is refugees and looking to have a good life, but Gabe and other racists in the town do not want them there. Told in two points of view (one written by Farish and one by Sharma), we get to see how the hatred looks from Samir’s eyes and Gabe’s girlfriend’s eyes.

Go Home
by Terry Farish; Lochan Sharma
Pub Date Aug 06 2024
House of Anansi Press Inc. |Groundwood Books
Multicultural Interest| Teens & YA


Currently, I am reviewing a copy of Go Home from House of Anansi Press Inc. |Groundwood Books, and Netgalley:


In a world filled with anger and fear, what does it mean to protect one's home and family?


There is a deep love between Olive and Gabe, her older brother's best friend. Their greatest desire is to make a home and family together, especially since Olive's brother, Chris, passed away from an overdose. It feels right and certain that Gabe and Olive will be together in the future, even though Gabe works three jobs and Olive still needs to finish high school.


Olive and Gabe's lives are disrupted when Samir Paudel moves into the house across the street. Paudel's house is crowded with family and friends, and loud music is played all the time. But Olive finds herself drawn to them, especially to Hajurba and Bhim, Samir's little nephews.



Yet Samir's presence seems to awaken in Gabe an intense anger - toward immigrants he believes are stealing resources from White Americans, resources that would have saved Chris and his own father, who has lost his job and struggles with ill health and alcoholism.



Olive no longer recognizes Gabe as the loyal, loving boy she fell in love with when she realizes Gabe and his family are responsible for escalating aggression toward the Paudels.


I give Go Home four out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Olive and Gabe have been together for a year, but their relationship starts to suffer when Samir and his family move across the street from Olive, One day at the beach Gabe yells at Samir telling him this is our beach, leave, go home. Someone breaks a window at Samir’s house. and when Gabe and Samir run into each other Gabe tells him stay away from Olive and me, and leave her family alone. Gabe gets mad at Olive when he finds out she’s been helping Samir and his family. What happens to Gabe and Olive’s relationship? Samir thinks why should our family stay here when we are hated. Do they leave?