alex365's review
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
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, divorcebettinablocksberg's review
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
CN: alcoholism, adoption, foster care, teen pregnancy, bullying
Well, it certainly was a really great idea to get this from the library.
I had this on my radar for quite some time but for some reason my interest was a little limited the whole time. I guess I thought I wouldn't like it that much and oh boy, was I wrong.
"Far from the Tree" is about three siblings: Grace, Maya and Joaquin. They thing is, they only get to meet at the ages of 15, 16 and 17. Their biological mother had given them up for adoption and they didn't know about each other's existence. That is, until Grace gets pregnant at 16 and gives her baby up for adoption, too which leads to her wanting to find her bio mom and her siblings.
This book was great. The story was intriguing, I really liked Robin Brenway's writing. The way she explored the identities and relationships of the three main characters impressed me. The end was touching and actually almost made me cry, so.. Go read it, I'd say!
Well, it certainly was a really great idea to get this from the library.
I had this on my radar for quite some time but for some reason my interest was a little limited the whole time. I guess I thought I wouldn't like it that much and oh boy, was I wrong.
"Far from the Tree" is about three siblings: Grace, Maya and Joaquin. They thing is, they only get to meet at the ages of 15, 16 and 17. Their biological mother had given them up for adoption and they didn't know about each other's existence. That is, until Grace gets pregnant at 16 and gives her baby up for adoption, too which leads to her wanting to find her bio mom and her siblings.
This book was great. The story was intriguing, I really liked Robin Brenway's writing. The way she explored the identities and relationships of the three main characters impressed me. The end was touching and actually almost made me cry, so.. Go read it, I'd say!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Pregnancy
aqtbenz's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
When I finished this book, I hugged it to my chest as a few tears slipped out. That's how much I loved this book.
The writing is incredible - I've enjoyed Robin Benway's books before, particularly Audrey, Wait!, but not like this. There were so many passages and lines that I wanted to write down because they were so beautiful and relatable. Things that a less talented writer would have made cliche just felt honest and real.
The three siblings of this book are now some of my favorite characters of all time - each is so well developed and real, and their relationship with each other unfolds beautifully. Each of them also has their own family story that's equally compelling.
If not already obvious, I really, really loved this. Cannot recommend enough.
The writing is incredible - I've enjoyed Robin Benway's books before, particularly Audrey, Wait!, but not like this. There were so many passages and lines that I wanted to write down because they were so beautiful and relatable. Things that a less talented writer would have made cliche just felt honest and real.
The three siblings of this book are now some of my favorite characters of all time - each is so well developed and real, and their relationship with each other unfolds beautifully. Each of them also has their own family story that's equally compelling.
If not already obvious, I really, really loved this. Cannot recommend enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Alcoholism, and Bullying
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Homophobia
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