December Selection: Far From The Tree

[Bang Bang Books]

Do you think Far From the Tree will win the Printz or receive an honor? Why or why not?

[Bang Bang Books]

I do not think this is Printz Worthy and a winner or honor.

It does not have an original voice or original characters. I've read all three voices in previous books-the good girl who made a mistake; the sassy girl; and the insecure boy. I don't feel like any of these characters added anything new even though this topic is under represented. The story is unique in that there are not a lot of YA books about adoption but I just feel like Benway didn't do anything special with it. The Mexican half brother was a missed opportunity and the drunk mother was predictable and not developed.

The style was pretty basic; I've read many contemporary stories that use this linear plot style. The pacing was incredibly fast which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but for a book about adopted teens meeting for the first time, there was not much insight or depth. Then there was this word that kept coming up, tethered. I know Benway was trying to use this word to connect the characters and it was probably supposed to be profound but it came across as forced.

[Reving]

I really did like this, but I think in a year with so many fantastic books it really doesn't have a shot. http://revingsblog.blogspot.com/2017/...

[Sarah]

I also liked it very much and think that teens will as well, but I also agree that there are stronger contenders this year.
I don't agree that the drunk mother was predictable. I thought it was a completely believable and realistic depiction of female alcoholism a topic I have not seen in a lot of YA titles.

[Jennifer]

I just finished this and while I think this book shares some perspectives on adoption that are rarely expressed in teen literature, I was just never excited to pick it up and start reading again. There's just a spark missing for me, so no, I don't think this is the next Printz winner.

[Maureen]

I enjoyed the book, I have some personal connections with the story that spoke to me. Honestly though, I think winning the National Book Award will keep this from getting the Printz as well. Last year March Book 3 was the first book to earn both awards, and I just don't see this book repeating that.

[Amanda]

I really liked this book and was excited when it won the NBA. I also think that because it won it won't make the Printz list. I really liked how she introduced the adoption and that Grace had never been interested in finding her birth mother until she became one herself. I connected with Grace and Joaquin and was really invested in their stories. Maya slowly grew on me and I ended up really pleased with that story line as well. I like the treatment of the relationship between Maya and her sister and Maya and her mother. Not instant forgiveness and everything is going to be OK as soon as her mother enters rehab.

[Mary HD]

I'm a fan of Benway for her ability to write pacy books with teen appeal; FAR FROM THE TREE is yet another one of her engaging novels.

But I will agree with the NBA folks that this one has a little extra. The author did an admirable job of presenting the many ways that adoptees, their biological parents and their adoptive parents deal with the emotional ramifications of adoption. To achieve this within the context of a compelling narrative, and without being didactic, is impressive.

I add, not subtract, literary points to books that offer a "good read". This is one of them.

But this won't win the big prize - THE HATE U GIVE (another great read!) is still the book to beat.