Books For Keeps
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Articles
  • Past Issues
  • Latest Issue
  • Authors and Artists
  • Latest News
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
January 5, 2018/in Fiction 14+ Secondary/Adult /by Angie Hill
BfK Rating:
BfK 228 January 2018
Reviewer: Val Randall
ISBN: 978-1471164330
Price: £7.99
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's UK
Genre: Fiction
Age Range: 14+ Secondary/Adult
Length: 374pp
Buy the Book

Far from the Tree

Author: Robin Benway

Grace is 16 years old, pregnant and adopted. Her adoptive parents advise her to give up her baby and she is happy that the couple who are taking her will give her a good life. However, she holds her baby briefly after the birth and then is unable to alleviate the pain of giving her away. She makes the decision to find her biological mother in an attempt to be `tethered again.’ The search yields a surprising discovery-a brother and sister, Joaquin and Maya-of whose existence she was unaware.

Both have their own troubles-Maya is volatile and restless, adopted but with a sister conceived after her adoption. Joaquin has been fostered for 17 years and is convinced that he cannot allow himself to be loved, as he feels he is not worthy of such commitment. As a result, he tries to shatter the two relationships which mean most to him-with his girlfriend Birdie and his current foster parents, Mark and Linda, who want to adopt him.

Thus far, the book is entirely convincing-characters are alive, fully formed and dialogue is particularly well observed and created. The developing relationship between Grace and her friend Rafe is particularly skilfully handled and emotional challenges are often memorably and honestly described. However, when Maya and Joaquin agree to join Grace in her search for their biological mother, plot lines begin to be far too neatly tied. Their mother’s details are discovered, her house visited but they are met by her sister, with news of their mother’s death many years earlier and her unwavering love for them all. All other relationship problems are solved, happiness prevails and the end of the book reads rather like the script for a saccharine movie – a disappointment after such a careful exploration of some very difficult issues.

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png 0 0 Angie Hill http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png Angie Hill2018-01-05 13:40:002021-06-08 11:45:57Far from the Tree

Search for a specific review

Author Search

Search







Generic filters




Filter by Member Types


Book Author

Download BfK Issue BfK 255 July 2022
Skip to an Issue:

About Us

Launched in 1980, we’ve reviewed hundreds of new children’s books each year and published articles on every aspect of writing for children.

Read More

Follow Us

Latest News

Sarah Hagger-Holt wins the 2022 Little Rebels Award for Radical Children’s Fiction 2022

July 21, 2022

Maisie Chan and her editor Georgia Murray of Piccadilly Press win the 2022 Branford Boase Award

July 14, 2022

Valerie Bloom wins the CLiPPA 2022

July 8, 2022

Contact Us

Books for Keeps,
30 Winton Avenue,
London,
N11 2AT

Telephone: 0780 789 3369

ISSN: 0143-909X (this is our International Standard Serial Number).

© Copyright 2022 - Books For Keeps | Proudly Built by Lemongrass Media - Web Design Buckinghamshire
Mike The Rainmaker Danced
Scroll to top