Half Brother
Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel is a reissue published by Scholastic Press in 2012, featuring 375 pages in English. This novel explores the complex dynamics of family life through the eyes of Ben Tomlin, a thirteen-year-old boy whose life changes dramatically when his parents bring home an eight-day-old chimpanzee named Zan. As Ben navigates his new reality, he grapples with the expectations placed upon him by his scientist parents, particularly his father, who is conducting a high-profile experiment on chimpanzee language acquisition.
Readers will find a narrative that delves into themes of family, adoption, and the social implications of scientific experimentation. As Ben’s relationship with Zan deepens, he faces a pivotal decision that challenges his understanding of loyalty and truth. The story captures the essence of adolescence and coming of age, highlighting the emotional struggles that arise when familial bonds are tested by unconventional circumstances. This edition invites readers to reflect on the nature of family and the ethical dilemmas surrounding scientific inquiry.
Official synopsis Publisher
From a Printz-Honor-winning author, an absorbing novel about a teen boy whose scientist parents take in a chimpanzee.
All happy families are alike. Ben Tomlin’s unhappy family is unhappy in a very different way.
For thirteen years, Ben Tomlin was an only child. But all that changes when his mother brings home Zan–an eight-day-old chimpanzee. Ben’s father, a renowned behavioral scientist, has uprooted the family to pursue his latest research project: a high-profile experiment to determine whether chimps can acquire advanced language skills. Ben’s parents tell him to treat Zan like a little brother. Ben reluctantly agrees. At least now he’s not the only one his father’s going to scrutinize.
It isn’t long before Ben is Zan’s favorite, and Ben starts to see Zan as more than just an experiment. His father disagrees. Soon Ben is forced to make a critical choice between what he is told to believe and what he knows to be true–between obeying his father or protecting his brother from an unimaginable fate.
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