Book Review: Half Brother

I used to spend Saturday mornings with my mom and sister at the Saint Louis Zoo in the Jungle of the Apes/Fragile Forest.  Even though glass separated us from the apes, my sister raced with one of the chimps, Jimi, and I had my gorilla "boyfriend", the late Juma.  These moments where it was just the apes and us, I will always treasure.

Remembering times like this, I picked up Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel and began the journey of Ben and Zan in this young adult book.  The story focuses on Ben and his families move across Canada, so that his father (a fairly well-known professor) can begin a new, groundbreaking study for the 1960s.  The study involves cross-fostering a chimpanzee named Zan and teaching him language utilizing ASL.  Not only does Ben have to adjust to this lifestyle change, he is the new kid at a prestigious private school where he doesn't believe he is smart enough to be, and negotiate the trials of having a major crush. 

At first, Ben wants nothing to do with Zan.  His parents hope he will come to think of Zan as a little brother.  This does happen and it is enjoyable to read.  Its amazing to read how these two grew in understanding of each other. Ben becomes closer with Zan then he does his own father.

The book does not sugar-coat having a chimp in the household. There are issues with research students, neighbors, and media.

Ben makes tough choices and shows great courage towards the end of the book.  I began crying at the end because of how touching the hope was in Ben.

Link to discussion guide.

All You Need Is Love, Humor, And Friendship

Recommended for grades 8-12

The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg should be read by every high school girl--whether they are in a relationship, plan on it, or not. Humor, truth, friendship, The Beatles, and remaining true to yourself—this is one awesome and refreshing book!

The protagonist, Penny Lane (yes, she is named after the Beatles song), has decided she is fed up with high school boys and dating. During the summer before her junior year, she finally got to have a relationship with Nate, the boy she thought was the one. He said all the right things and made her feel special, but Penny catches him cheating—he blames her for it. Penny decides enough is enough!

Penny decides to start The Lonely Hearts Club, referencing the Beatles—she is the solo member. Pretty soon, Diane, who was Penny’s best friend up until 7^th grade, when she dropped everything (including Penny) to date Ryan, asks to join (Ryan secretly dumped her at the end of their sophomore year, but they remain friends). Soon after, Penny’s current loud-mouth, opinionated best friend, Tracy decides to join. Before you know it, more and more girls want to know about the club and join—a revolution has begun!

Club rules are established, meetings are held on Saturday nights, the girls eat lunch together at school, decide to go to Homecoming together (and are a HIT at Homecoming), and support each other through difficult decisions. Diane, Penny, and Tracy are the friends every high school girl should have—I would have loved being friends with them. The way the girls stand up for each other and problem solve, and support each other through many issues is incredible.

But what should Penny do when one of the nicest and not to mention cutest guys at school starts to show an interest? Is Penny in over her head? What’s a girl to do? Well, there’s no chance she will lose herself for a guy, she has plenty of friends to make sure that doesn’t happen.

What a great way to start my winter break from school!

Eulberg, E. (2009). The Lonely hearts club. New York City, NY: Scholastic Point.