See List Kate O’Shaughnessy
Some kids’ books stick with you long after you read them. These books don’t shout or shine too brightly. Instead, they sit with you quietly and say, “Hey, maybe this is what growing up really feels like.”
Kate O’Shaughnessy writes those kinds of books. Her stories sneak in through road trips, recipes, and whispered doubts. Before you know it, you’re looking at something profound and tender: what it means to belong, to question, and to build a life when the instructions feel incomplete.
Let’s take the scenic route through her work. Here are a few mile markers along the road Kate is the award-winning author of several middle-grade novels, including The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane, Lasagna Means I Love You, and The Wrong Way Home.
The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane (2020)
This debut introduces Maybelle, an eleven-year-old who collects sounds. That’s already a delightful detail—who hasn’t tried to capture a moment only to fail miserably? When she learns that her estranged father is a radio DJ, she sets off on a road trip to meet him and enters a singing contest in Nashville along the way. What makes this story shine isn’t just the journey; it’s how Maybelle forms a chosen family from the most unlikely companions. Courage fills the space where fear once sat.
Lasagna Means I Love You (2023)
In this book, we meet Mo, who’s dealing with loss, foster care, and the small but stubborn hope of finding or making a family. Through a quirky cookbook filled with recipes and their backstories, Mo starts to create a sense of belonging in her own way. It’s a book that understands grief without letting it take control, which is a remarkable balancing act.
The Wrong Way Home (2024/2025)
Next is her latest—and maybe her most talked-about novel. The Wrong Way Home follows twelve-year-old Fern, who grew up in an off-the-grid commune led by a charismatic figure she trusts completely. When her mother suddenly takes her away, Fern faces a disorienting question: What if everything she believes is wrong? The story unfolds as Fern adjusts to a new life—school, friendships, and the wider world. At the same time, she quietly grapples with loyalty, doubt, and identity. This book is a Newbery Honor title and has gained recognition for its emotional depth. For readers in our part of the country, it’s worth noting that The Wrong Way Home is on the Kansas William Allen White Book Award nominee list for 2026–27.
What ties it all together? If you look closely, you’ll notice a pattern in O’Shaughnessy’s books. Her characters often stand at a crossroads, holding a question that doesn’t have an easy answer: Who am I, really? And who gets to decide? This question appears in Maybelle Lane as a “journey within a journey” – finding a father while also finding herself. In Lasagna Means I Love You, it takes the form of quiet determination to create a family from scratch. In The Wrong Way Home, it becomes urgent: It takes courage to question everything you’ve learned, even when it’s scary. Time and again, her stories return to self-trust—the delicate, hard-won belief that your own voice matters, even when it contradicts the loudest voices around you. It’s not flashy. It’s not preachy. It’s just true.
The “Why” Behind the Words: O’Shaughnessy’s writing feels grounded because it is. She explores complex emotional issues: family relationships, identity, and belonging – with empathy and care. She often focuses on internal stories: the quiet shifts that shape how kids view themselves and their world. She has a particular affection for mother-daughter relationships and stories about connection and care. She also seems to trust her readers. She doesn’t over-explain. She allows characters to make mistakes. And she gives readers space to figure things out on their own—because kids are often really good at that.
So, if you’re a parent, teacher, or a librarian recommending a middle-grade novel, Kate O’Shaughnessy’s books are worth exploring. Start with The Wrong Way Home—especially while it’s on the William Allen White list, sparking conversations in classrooms and libraries. Then circle back to Maybelle and Mo, who will feel like old friends before you’re halfway through. And maybe—just maybe—take a moment to think about the books that shaped you when you were younger. The ones that sat beside you quietly and said, “You’ll figure it out.” Because if O’Shaughnessy’s stories remind us of anything, it’s this: We usually do.