sapphicreaderlucy's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Pregnancy
Minor: Death of parent
koala_t_reads's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Other tw for adoption and the foster care system.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Grief, and Bullying
Minor: Death of parent, Pregnancy, Death, and Violence
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Medical content, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Misogyny, and Pregnancy
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Sexual content, Vomit, Ableism, Cancer, Animal death, Eating disorder, Deportation, Death of parent, Car accident, Child abuse, Death, Homophobia, Infertility, and Racism
Slut shaming. Underage drug use.padawan17's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
chris_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Alcoholism
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, and Cursing
Minor: Drug use and Forced institutionalization
katelynnchamp's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
To say I adored this story would be an understatement. What a beautiful, thoughtful depiction of adoption, foster care, and the depth of family.
All three characters were well fleshed out, and their character arcs were so poignant. I cried with Joaquin, wanted to hug Grace, and laughed with Maya. I truly did not want this story to end, and am so thankful for the delicacy and accuracy with which Benway depicted adoptees and the journey of children through the foster care system.
All three characters were well fleshed out, and their character arcs were so poignant. I cried with Joaquin, wanted to hug Grace, and laughed with Maya. I truly did not want this story to end, and am so thankful for the delicacy and accuracy with which Benway depicted adoptees and the journey of children through the foster care system.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Bullying and Sexual harassment
rather_b_reading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Pregnancy, and Bullying
rkreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I listened to the audiobook in one sitting. I just could not put it down. Highly recommend this heartbreaking and beautiful story! The number of times I just wanted to give Juaquin a hug is absolutely insane. I also really appreciate the really nice but also honest foster and adoption rep. This book does not shy away from the topic and really gets into many of the complicated feelings and scenarios that arise from fostering and adoption but also does it in a really respectful way without just using it as a trauma plot device.
10/10 would recommend!
I personally really enjoyed the audiobook and thought the narrator did a great job.
10/10 would recommend!
I personally really enjoyed the audiobook and thought the narrator did a great job.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Grief, and Pregnancy
kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Title: Far from the Tree
Author: Robin Benway
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 3.5
Pub Date: October 3 2017
T H R E E • W O R D S
Endearing • Moving • Believable
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Far from the Tree brings together three siblings who were either adopted or put into foster care. When Grace gives her own child up for adoption, she decides to embark on the journey of finding her own birth mother. It is a story of family, identity and finding ones place in the world.
💭 T H O U G H T S
This is an easy to read, feel good story that was both touching and emotional. Each chapter alternates between the three main characters: Grace, Maya and Joaquin. The diversity of the characters here was very well done. And Robin Benway has weaved the themes of adoption and family into a believable tale. The writing is definitely a strong point here.
While YA is typically not my genre of preference, I ended up enjoying this contemporary story because the plot was well done. The weakest part of this novel is definitely the romance side of things, which I could have honestly done without. Overall, it's a good story, but for me it wasn't anything to write home about. There is certainly a lot that could be discussed with others so it's an ideal candidate for book club if members are okay with YA.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• YA enthusiasts
• book clubs
• readers who enjoy stories about family
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
" 'That's exactly what family is, Joaquin!' Maya shouted at him. 'It means that no matter where you go, no matter how far you run, you're still a part of me and Grace and we're still a part of you, too! Look at us! It took us fifteen years to find each other, but we still did! And sometimes, family hurts each other. But after that's done you bandage each other up, and you move on. Together. So you can go and think that you're some lone wolf, but you're not! You've got us now, like it or not, and we've got you. So get in this fucking car and let's go!' "
Author: Robin Benway
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 3.5
Pub Date: October 3 2017
T H R E E • W O R D S
Endearing • Moving • Believable
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Far from the Tree brings together three siblings who were either adopted or put into foster care. When Grace gives her own child up for adoption, she decides to embark on the journey of finding her own birth mother. It is a story of family, identity and finding ones place in the world.
💭 T H O U G H T S
This is an easy to read, feel good story that was both touching and emotional. Each chapter alternates between the three main characters: Grace, Maya and Joaquin. The diversity of the characters here was very well done. And Robin Benway has weaved the themes of adoption and family into a believable tale. The writing is definitely a strong point here.
While YA is typically not my genre of preference, I ended up enjoying this contemporary story because the plot was well done. The weakest part of this novel is definitely the romance side of things, which I could have honestly done without. Overall, it's a good story, but for me it wasn't anything to write home about. There is certainly a lot that could be discussed with others so it's an ideal candidate for book club if members are okay with YA.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• YA enthusiasts
• book clubs
• readers who enjoy stories about family
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
" 'That's exactly what family is, Joaquin!' Maya shouted at him. 'It means that no matter where you go, no matter how far you run, you're still a part of me and Grace and we're still a part of you, too! Look at us! It took us fifteen years to find each other, but we still did! And sometimes, family hurts each other. But after that's done you bandage each other up, and you move on. Together. So you can go and think that you're some lone wolf, but you're not! You've got us now, like it or not, and we've got you. So get in this fucking car and let's go!' "
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Cursing
Minor: Bullying
adoption, divorcekristinbookdragon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, and Racial slurs