FAMILY TIES

Eleven-year-old Jaden lives with his loving adoptive parents and has everything he needs, but he is still not very happy. He feels betrayed by his biological parents who gave him up, and constantly feels like his adoptive parents are disappointed in him. The only thing he really cares about is electricity, which he did not have in the Romanian orphanage where he was raised. Now, his adoptive parents are taking him to Kazakhstan to adopt a baby brother for him, and Jaden is as usual not very happy. When they get to Kazakhstan, Jaden and his parents encounter many challenges, but there are also surprising silver linings. And what Jaden does not expect to find is a friend, and a kid he won't mind calling his brother.

Half a World Away is a book that deals with international adoption, which is a tough but fascinating topic. It is a realistic fiction novel that's smart and easy to read, and provides great insight about what it is to be a family.


For grades 5 and up.