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 (Kira-Kira) and the National
Book Award (The Thing About Luck).
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.
When they get to Kazakhstan, it turns out the infant they've traveled
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, the vivid depictions in Half a World Away create "an
inspiring story that celebrates hope and second chances" (Publishers
Weekly, starred review).
