The Authors
Terry Farish and Lochan Sharma spent four years writing Go Home. Lochan was born in Nepal after his family was exiled from their home country, Bhutan. Now the family lives in Concord, New Hampshire and he’s studying at Keene State College. Terry writes novels in Atlantic Heights, a small neighborhood on the New Hampshire seacoast. Her books have won many awards.
The Story
Olive Ronan is a New Hampshire girl, born and raised. Samir Paudel moves to her town the summer they are both sixteen. He brings experience of another world passed down to him by his Bhutanese-Nepali family. Also, enter Gabe, the boy Olive loves, whose motorcycle is emblazoned with his creed, “America is full. Go home.” The three teens become torn by loyalties to family and beliefs about who belongs in their town. Go Home is a timely and provocative story about immigration and prejudice. It’s also a girl’s journey into her own.
The Questions. Ideas for Discussion
- Go Home is told in Olive’s and Samir’s voices in alternating chapters. How does this narrative style contribute to your understanding of the novel?
- What does Samir imagine is American—in the refugee camp, once in New Hampshire? What does he observe at the River’s Tale Café about American businesses? What does he learn from his father? What does it mean to be American to you?
- Samir has a small gold Ganesha, a Hindu god with an elephant head. Ganesha symbolizes success and learning. Samir always wears the Ganesha on a chain around his neck. Olive believes the white horse on the island is magical and powerful. What purpose do these amulets play in the novel? Is there an animal or other symbol that represents a strength to you in your culture?
- What are the growing views about the Paudels, especially about Samir, that Olive confronts as the book unfolds?
- Gabe’s best friend died of a drug overdose. What do you think the novel is saying about loss and grief and how those deep emotions affect what happens in the summer the story unfolds.
- Gabe is loyal to his family and others in his community. Do you see evidence that Gabe tries to be loyal to his family and that his own beliefs are not the same as theirs?
- If you could respond to one thing a character says in Go Home, what would you want to say to them?
- What does Hajurba mean when he says “a horse is good luck. They know how to find the way home.” How do you think it relates to what home is for any of the main characters?
- The novel explores people’s need to belong in a place. Can you describe a moment when you felt like you belonged in a place? What did you experience that made you feel at home?
- How do you come to understand the stranger or people who are different that come to your community?
Have you had discussions about the book? What questions did you find valuable to think about? Please tell us here.