We had mostly been reading his more recent titles. My son and I started reading Gordon Korman books together a few years ago. I personally think it stands the test of time, as do most of the 72 reviewers on Amazon (and I'm amazed how much a good used copy of the book costs there!). I wish this book were still in print for a new generation for readers. You're rooting for this boy the whole time - so it comes as a complete surprise what he choose to do in the end. What shy kid doesn't have such fantasies? Rudy is determined to escape from summer camp hell, and his attempts to do so are laugh out loud funny. But Rudy is no 'loser' - when forced to take part in things, he EXCELS and blows everyone away. I adored Rudy as a kid because I identified with his antisocial tendencies - he preferred his own space and doing his own thing, and hated the forced camaraderie of summer camp and the constant perkiness of the camp counsellors, especially Chip (oh, poor Chip). I WANT TO GO HOME is exactly as I remember, full of fun and shenanigans from young antisocial curmudgeon Rudy Miller and his sidekick Mike.

Gimme the original artwork! So imagine my surprise and total delight when, seventeen years after I first enjoyed it, I discovered a very good copy of my original version in a used book store in Yangpu district, Shanghai, China for RMB 8.00 ($1.30), worlds away from my Canadian childhood. I know it was reissued in recent years but I hated the new, 'modern' cover. This was my absolute favorite book when I was eleven years old in Ontario, and I was brokenhearted when my paperback copy actually became too disgusting to read (stains, torn pages, mildew from reading it in the shower).

I Want to Go Home! by Gordon Korman