Far From the Tree

Far From the Tree
Author(s)
Genre(s)
Age Range
14+
Release Date
October 03, 2017
ISBN
0062330624

A contemporary novel about three adopted siblings who find each other at just the right moment. Being the middle child has its ups and downs. But for Grace, an only child who was adopted at birth, discovering that she is a middle child is a different ride altogether. After putting her own baby up for adoption, she goes looking for her biological family, including— Maya, her loudmouthed younger bio sister, who has a lot to say about their newfound family ties. Having grown up the snarky brunette in a house full of chipper redheads, she’s quick to search for traces of herself among these not-quite-strangers. And when her adopted family’s long-buried problems begin to explode to the surface, Maya can’t help but wonder where exactly it is that she belongs. And Joaquin, their stoic older bio brother, who has no interest in bonding over their shared biological mother. After seventeen years in the foster care system, he’s learned that there are no heroes, and secrets and fears are best kept close to the vest, where they can’t hurt anyone but him.

A contemporary novel about three adopted siblings who find each other at just the right moment. Being the middle child has its ups and downs. But for Grace, an only child who was adopted at birth, discovering that she is a middle child is a different ride altogether. After putting her own baby up for adoption, she goes looking for her biological family, including— Maya, her loudmouthed younger bio sister, who has a lot to say about their newfound family ties. Having grown up the snarky brunette in a house full of chipper redheads, she’s quick to search for traces of herself among these not-quite-strangers. And when her adopted family’s long-buried problems begin to explode to the surface, Maya can’t help but wonder where exactly it is that she belongs. And Joaquin, their stoic older bio brother, who has no interest in bonding over their shared biological mother. After seventeen years in the foster care system, he’s learned that there are no heroes, and secrets and fears are best kept close to the vest, where they can’t hurt anyone but him.

Editor reviews

2 reviews
Absolute Favorite of this Year!
Overall rating
 
5.0
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This review is so difficult for me to write because I can’t seem to properly put into words how absolutely beautiful this book was.

After Emmy & Oliver, Robin Benway completely won me over. Now after Far from the Tree I can easily say that she is one of my all-time favorite authors. I only wish that I could write as beautifully as Benway! Her words express everything so effortlessly and simply, while making you feel so much emotion. Like I said, it’s hard to explain but there is something very special about the way she wrote this story.

Basically after reading this book, all I can say is that you might want to have some tissues on hand. THE EMOTIONS ARE REAL. Far from the Tree follows three siblings- Grace, Maya, and Joaquin. All characters who were very different, but all equally lovable.

I won’t spoil anything by going too deep into the plot, but a lottt happens in this one. Pretty much any big issue or topic is spoken about in this book- everything from relationships to foster care to dysfunctional families to teen pregnancy. There were so many important topics spoken about and I think that because of this, many people will be touched by something in this story like I was.

These are three lives that come together during interesting periods of their lives. Separate they are such interesting characters, but together they made my heart so incredibly full. Their relationships and interactions were so real that I still can’t believe this is fiction (not going to allow myself to believe it’s not real.) Maya and her sarcasm had me rolling with laughter, Grace was a literal sweetheart who I wanted to hug so badly, and Joaquin was probably my favorite character- his resilience was everything. Overall, just an incredible group of characters.


Final thoughts?

What’s not to love? There are three complex, lovable characters surrounded by equally complex supporting characters in a raw, heart-warming and heartbreaking story. I recommend tissues for all the crying, but you should know that this isn’t necessarily a sad story. There is so much laughter, love, happiness, and hope with some emotional moments that make this book absolutely unforgettable. This is a must read, so I say you must give it a try :)
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