Jaden was adopted four years ago. Now twelve years old, he’s been in and out of therapy for his serious behavioral issues and doesn’t feel any attachment to Penni and Steve, his “adoptive so-called parents.” Assuming they are adopting a baby because they’re dissatisfied with him, he arrives with Penni and Steve in Kazakhstan to discover the baby they thought they were adopting has already been placed with another family. Given a day to decide if they want a different child, Penni and Steve agonize before agreeing to take Ramazan. Meanwhile, Jaden meets Dimash. The preschooler can’t talk and has physical challenges, but latches on to Jaden joyfully. Dimash touches something deep and unexpected in Jaden, who is used to feeling anger or nothing. Fascinated with electricity, he has felt no current connecting him to anyone, until Dimash. The logistics of this novel are a little too neat when Penni and Steve decide to adopt both children, but its emotional landscape is achingly true, from the tension that Jaden’s behavior causes in his family to his distant, disdainful regard for his parents and others. By story’s end Jaden finds himself wanting to console Ramazan when he cries. It’s a far cry from loving the baby, but it’s a start, and even Jaden knows it. (Ages 9–13)

A kid who considers himself an epic fail discovers the transformative power of love when he deals with adoption in this novel from Cynthia Kadohata, winner of the Newbery Medal (Kira-Kira) and the National Book Award (The Thing About Luck).

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.

When they get to Kazakhstan, it turns out the infant they’ve traveled 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, the vivid depictions in Half a World Away create “an inspiring story that celebrates hope and second chances” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).