Half a World Away

I think this book was really well done. I didn't necessarily enjoy reading it, but I think that's a credit to how well Kadohata portrays really unpleasant topics. Jaden was adopted from Romania when he was 8 and has struggled with attachment disorder and other psychological issues–setting fires, hoarding food, stealing, etc etc etc. I've heard/read about families affected by these kinds of issues and it's so heartbreaking. Reading about Jaden's emotional struggles–and imagining how his parents must feel–honestly made me feel nauseous at times.

The ending was supposed to be optimistic but also left me filled with anxiety. Given how shady and unreliable the orphanage in Kazakhstan is shown to be, how can they be sure that Dimash will be there when they return?? What happens to Jaden if he's NOT?

Oh also, one thing I thought was weird was how at the beginning Jaden is shown to be obsessed with electricity and how thinking about it kind of soothes him, and then that's dropped. I kind of thought the power would go out when they were in Kazakhstan and that would impact him somehow.

It might be a good one to read for kids and families who have similar issues? Or for kids who like reading about emotional struggles?