Half a World Away

A kid who considers himself an epic fail discovers the transformative power of love when he deals with adoption in this novel from Cynthia Kadohata, winner of the Newbery Medal and the National Book Award.

Eleven-year-old Jaden is adopted, and he knows he's an "epic fail.' That's why his family is traveling to Kazakhstan to adopt a new baby--to replace him, he's sure. And he gets it. He is incapable of stopping his stealing, hoarding, lighting fires, aggressive running, and obsession with electricity. He knows his parents love him, but he feels...nothing.

But when they get to Kazakhstan, it turns out the infant they've travelled for has already been adopted, and literally within minutes are faced with having to choose from six other babies. While his parents agonize, Jaden is more interested in the toddlers. One, a little guy named Dimash, spies Jaden and barrels over to him every time he sees him. Jaden finds himself increasingly intrigued by and worried about Dimash. Already three years old and barely able to speak, Dimash will soon age out of the orphanage, and then his life will be as hopeless as Jaden feels now. For the first time in his life, Jaden actually feels something that isn't pure blinding fury, and there's no way to control it, or its power.

From camels rooting through garbage like raccoons, to eagles being trained like hunting dogs, to streets that are more pothole than pavement, Half a World Away is Cynthia Kadohata's latest spark of a novel.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published: 09/02/2014
ISBN: 9781442412750
Pages: 240
Weight: 0.75lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.80w x 1.00d
Award: Black-Eyed Susan Award - Nominee

Review Citations: Publishers Weekly 06/23/2014
Booklist 07/01/2014 pg. 72
Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2014
School Library Journal 09/01/2014 pg. 125
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2014 pg. 161
New York Times Book Review 10/19/2014 pg. 17
Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2014 pg. 94
PW Children's Starred Reviews 12/01/2014 pg. 72
Booklist Ed Choice Youth 01/01/2015 pg. 17
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2015 - Superior,Well Above Average

Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 168464 / Half a World Away
Reading Level: 4.7 / Interest Level: Middle Grade / Point Value: 5