This book is amazing because I like how Jaden feels lonely sometimes. Understanding a boy with problems is really hard, and Jaden were friends with him. Better off, (Dimash) Jaden and Dimash are brothers, because Jaden has proven how much Dimash means to him. Cynthia Kadohata is an author that can realize how good siblings can be. Jaden's life didn't turn out to be "an epic fail" as he calls it, but it turns out to be how Jaden wants his life to be. When I think about what Jaden's dad says when Jaden starts crying, Jaden's dad says, "Don't worry about him. He just wants your attention". W hen I think about that, I sometimes feel like Jaden can be a bit spoiled. I am not surprised because characters in stories can be like that. 5 stars and beyond!
Half a World Away
By Cynthia Kadohata
| Interest Level | Reading Level | Reading A-Z | ATOS | Word Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grades 4 - 8 | Grades 3 - 5 | n/a | 4.7 | 35552 |
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.
Book Reviews (3)
(My name), why you reading that book? It's 4th grade lvl and you're in 5th grade. (Mah mom says). MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! This book is full of emotions and mixed genres. Mixed genres are the BEST because all stories in this world canNOT relate to other stories. (That was the end of our conversation). Comparing this story towards Harry Potter, I have to say that both of these books are different. For example, Harry Potter doesn't have an adopted little brother. On the other hand, the main character in 'Half a Life Away' has an adopted little brother. This book is heart warming and I doubt nobody would doubt about this book.
this book is very toching becuse it is about a boy that was adoppted and feels he dosnt have a place in the world. he feels lonly. pulus there is going to be a new baby in the house.he has mixed emotions about it all.