far from the tree book robin benway summary

After they meet for the first time, the story follows them as they each struggle to relearn what defines a family.Įach sibling presents a different viewpoint on adoption and belonging. When Grace, the middle child gives her baby up for adoption, she seeks out her two siblings. The novel is told by three biological teenage siblings who have led different lives. And it does it while still maintaining the complex mix of innocence and wisdom through which teenagers process the world.īeyond my personal vote of confidence, Far from the Tree won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, so you can trust that it’s complex and well-written enough for book clubs. This brilliant novel addresses many heavy topics with grace and care including teen pregnancy, alcoholism, adoption, foster care, divorce, discrimination, and more. But before you click away, read a little more about why I chose this book.įar from the Tree is a young adult book that I think you will love, especially if you have teenagers at home or you have been adopted or have adopted a child. Some YA books just aren’t what many book clubs are going to choose to read and that’s okay. This isn’t because I haven’t read any young adult fiction, but mainly because most book clubs lean towards adult fiction. Thus far in the history of this site, there have been no YA books featured. 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.Far from the Tree Book Club Questions and Recipe And Joaquin, their stoic older bio brother, who has no interest in bonding over their shared biological mother.

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. 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. 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. But for Grace, an only child who was adopted at birth, discovering that she is a middle child is a different ride altogether. Being the middle child has its ups and downs. Summary: A National Book Award Longlist title! Perfect for fans of NBC's 'This Is Us,' Robin Benway's beautiful interweaving story of three very different teenagers connected by blood explores the meaning of family in all its forms-how to find it, how to keep it, and how to love it.

Far from the tree book robin benway summary