I Want to Go Home!

I Want to Go Home! is a 1981 children's novel about a talented but resistant camper named Rudy Miller who is sent to summer camp against his will. The story takes place at Camp Algonkian Island, where Rudy forms an unlikely friendship with fellow camper Mike Webster. Together, Rudy and Mike undertake various attempts to escape the island camp and return home. Their plans put them at odds with their counselor Chip, who must constantly work to keep the rebellious campers in check. The story follows Rudy's emergence as a natural leader whose abilities and sharp wit make him both a challenge for the camp staff and a hero to his fellow campers. Through sports activities, cabin life, and elaborate escape schemes, Rudy maintains his determination to leave camp behind. This humorous adventure story explores themes of friendship, authority, and finding one's place even in unwanted circumstances. The novel presents a lighthearted look at the classic conflict between individual will and institutional structure.

Readers remember this as a funny, nostalgic book from their childhood that holds up well for adult readers. Common feedback highlights the realistic depiction of summer camp dynamics and the main character's creative escape attempts. What readers liked: - Fast-paced humor and witty dialogue - Relatable portrayal of not wanting to fit in - Appeals to both reluctant and advanced young readers - Works on multiple levels for different ages What readers disliked: - Some found the protagonist too stubborn - A few felt the ending was rushed - Dated references in older editions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (90+ ratings) Reader quote: "I read this book at least 10 times as a kid. The humor is still sharp 30 years later." - Goodreads reviewer Common feedback suggests this book resonates particularly well with kids who feel like outsiders or have anxiety about summer camp.

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🌟 Gordon Korman wrote this book when he was just 14 years old, making it one of his earliest published works. 🏊 The story's setting of Camp Algonkian Island was inspired by real summer camps in Ontario, Canada, where Korman spent time during his youth. 🎯 The novel has become a cult classic among reluctant campers and has remained continuously in print since its first publication in 1981. 📚 The book helped establish Korman's signature style of blending humor with adventure, which he would go on to use in over 100 books for young readers. 🌿 Camp Algonkian Island's name comes from the Algonquin indigenous peoples who historically lived throughout the region where the story is set.