Far from the Tree by Robin Benway. tells the story of three siblings that were put up for adoption by their biological mother.
Grace, the middle child, knew she was adopted, but was never interested in finding out anything about her biological family, not until she had to give up her own daughter for adoption. Now, she aches for the hole Peach (her daughter) has left behind and wonders if her bio mom felt the same way after giving her up all those years ago.
Maya, the youngest sister, had always felt a bit like an outsider; the only brunette in a prominently red-headed family. Her parents adopted her three months before they found out they were pregnant with Lauren, her younger sister. She used to be close to Lauren, but now everyone feels like they’re drifting apart. Of course, the fact that she has an alcoholic mother, and parents that can’t be in the same room for five minutes without yelling doesn’t help matters.
Joaquin, the older brother never got adopted. Being a boy, and half-Mexican might have something to do with it. His latest set of foster parents are perfect, though, maybe too perfect. So is Birdie, Joaquin’s now ex-girlfriend. Joaquin knows he will ruin everything, he knows that he will manage to hurt them. He doesn’t deserve them, and trying to explain that to them will hurt too much. So Joaquin does what the years in foster care has taught him to do; keep his secrets and fears close to himself, and not get too attached.
This book was wonderful to read. It touched important topics, such as foster care systems, teen pregnancies, racism, and the need to belong. Parts in this book made me want to cry, while some made me laugh. It was written in three different perspectives, which is my favourite style of writing, because it feels like reading three different books at the same time. The only thing about this book I didn’t like was the predictability of the plot and the characters. Other than that, AMAZING. I give it a 9/10.
No Comments Yet