Half a World Away (Reprint)

Brief Description: Twelve-year-old Jaden, an emotionally damaged adopted boy fascinated by electricity, feels a connection to a small, weak toddler with special needs in Kazakhstan, where Jaden's family is trying to adopt a "normal" baby. Marc Notes: ; Twelve-year-old Jaden, an emotionally damaged adopted boy fascinated by electricity, feels a connection to a small, weak toddler with special needs in Kazakhstan, where Jaden's family is trying to adopt a normal baby.. Publisher Marketing: 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). Review Citations:

Publishers Weekly 06/23/2014 (EAN 9781442412750, Hardcover) - *Starred Review

Booklist 07/01/2014 pg. 72 (EAN 9781442412750, Hardcover) - *Starred Review

Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2014 (EAN 9781442412750, Hardcover)

School Library Journal 09/01/2014 pg. 125 (EAN 9781442412750, Hardcover)

Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2014 pg. 161 (EAN 9781442412750, Hardcover)

New York Times Book Review 10/19/2014 pg. 17 (EAN 9781442412750, Hardcover)

Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2014 pg. 94 (EAN 9781442412750, Hardcover)

PW Children's Starred Reviews 12/01/2014 pg. 72 (EAN 9781442412750, Hardcover)

Booklist Ed Choice Youth 01/01/2015 pg. 17 (EAN 9781442412750, Hardcover)

Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2015 (EAN 9781442412750, Hardcover)

Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2014 (EAN 9781442412774, Open Ebook)

Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2014 pg. 94 (EAN 9781442412774, Open Ebook)

Contributor Bio:  Kadohata, Cynthia Cynthia Kadohata is the author of the Newbery Medal-winning book "Kira-Kira, "the National Book Award winner "The Thing About Luck", the Jane Addams Peace Award and Pen USA Award winner "Weedflower", "Cracker!, Outside Beauty", "A Million Shades of Gray", and several critically acclaimed adult novels, including "The Floating World". She lives with her son and dog in West Covina, California.