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mishalsaeed's review against another edition
5.0
One word: A-May-Zing!
At first, I actually didn't want to read this book. It was recommended by my librarian so I decided to give it a go. Except I didn't...for a month it just sat on my computer desk, neglected. It was 2 days before I returned it so I decided to read the beginning, just to see if it was worth reading in the first place. I couldn't put it down. My dad and siblings had to continuously tell me to go to sleep. I was reading while watching TV. It was just that amazing. It left me on edge. When I wasn't thinking about other things, what was going to happen next pre-occupied my mind. It took me 3 days to finish all 370ish pages (I'm a slow reader) and I tried to savour every word of it.
I loved how in the end, Zan signed 'I love you' to Ben since everyone knew he did, he just didn't know the sign 'love' since his dad didn't think it was necessary to learn. But it was. It was so necessary since he really needed to say it, even if it was in a dream.
I didn't think project Jennifer was ever going to work in the first place and I'm happy she ended up with Hugh. She needed someone like Hugh. Her and Ben should stay good friends though. I love how in the end, he ended up with Jennifer's best friend and they had 'chemistry'. It was just so awesome how she was there the whole time and he even said she was pretty but he was too focused on Jennifer, someone he would never get in my opinion. In the end, they kissed and Ben knew she was 'the one'. It was so sweet.
All in all, AMAZING! I can understand why it got 3 awards and why it was recommended to me. From now on, I promise to at least read the starting of a book before it stays on my computer desk for a month.
At first, I actually didn't want to read this book. It was recommended by my librarian so I decided to give it a go. Except I didn't...for a month it just sat on my computer desk, neglected. It was 2 days before I returned it so I decided to read the beginning, just to see if it was worth reading in the first place. I couldn't put it down. My dad and siblings had to continuously tell me to go to sleep. I was reading while watching TV. It was just that amazing. It left me on edge. When I wasn't thinking about other things, what was going to happen next pre-occupied my mind. It took me 3 days to finish all 370ish pages (I'm a slow reader) and I tried to savour every word of it.
I loved how in the end, Zan signed 'I love you' to Ben since everyone knew he did, he just didn't know the sign 'love' since his dad didn't think it was necessary to learn. But it was. It was so necessary since he really needed to say it, even if it was in a dream.
I didn't think project Jennifer was ever going to work in the first place and I'm happy she ended up with Hugh. She needed someone like Hugh. Her and Ben should stay good friends though. I love how in the end, he ended up with Jennifer's best friend and they had 'chemistry'. It was just so awesome how she was there the whole time and he even said she was pretty but he was too focused on Jennifer, someone he would never get in my opinion. In the end, they kissed and Ben knew she was 'the one'. It was so sweet.
All in all, AMAZING! I can understand why it got 3 awards and why it was recommended to me. From now on, I promise to at least read the starting of a book before it stays on my computer desk for a month.
maviii's review against another edition
4.0
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES! Reading this book just reminds me that I need to start reading outside of my comfort genre, and explore the millions of books out there. If my parents hadn't recommended this book, most likely would never have read it. But thank goodness they did!
mindygough's review against another edition
3.0
YA tale of a family wherein the parents obtain a chimp and raise it to toddlerhood as part of their household, and the effect this has on their teenaged son. A fast read with an interesting story line, but a few unlikely bits.
librandian's review against another edition
4.0
When only child Ben Tomlin finds out he’s going to be a big brother, he knows that his little brother is going to be very different. Ben’s parents are scientists and, as a result to his father’s newest experiment, the whole family is moving across Canada. Days after Ben and his father arrive at their new house, Ben’s mother shows up with his new little brother, a baby chimpanzee. Ben’s father has orchestrated an experiment to determine whether a chimp can learn language if it is raised like a human. Zan, the chimp, is to be treated like a member of family. He is to wear clothes, eat with the family, and abide by family rules.
At first Ben isn’t exactly on board with the Zan project. Zan throws stuff and pees everywhere when Ben attempts to change his diapers. Before long, Ben finds himself in awe at what Zan can do. Ben, along with his mother and a team of graduate students from his father’s university, begin to teach Zan sign language in order to begin communicating. Teaching Zan was not the only thing going on in Ben’s life. He also has a major crush on the daughter of his father’s boss. Not knowing exactly how to go about getting a girl to like him, Ben decides to treat this like any other experiment. He must do research and take notes about Jennifer in hopes that his knowledge leads Project Jennifer to successful results. Unfortunately both projects don’t go according to the original plans. Ben learns that Zan is not reaching to expectations of the university scientists and he has to go. Ben refuses to easily give up on his baby brother and, along with his mother and a former research student from the project, does whatever he can to stop Zan from being sent to a harmful testing facility.
Set in the 1970s, Oppel writes a touching story embodying the tone of the decade. While some would stop at nothing to improve life for humans, others fought tooth and nail to protect the rights of every living thing. Half Brother is a wonderful story about family and acceptance and will win over animal lovers. While Zan may steal the show, Ben is a realistic character that compels readers to cheer when things go well, cry during the hard times, and fight with everything they have for the cause.
At first Ben isn’t exactly on board with the Zan project. Zan throws stuff and pees everywhere when Ben attempts to change his diapers. Before long, Ben finds himself in awe at what Zan can do. Ben, along with his mother and a team of graduate students from his father’s university, begin to teach Zan sign language in order to begin communicating. Teaching Zan was not the only thing going on in Ben’s life. He also has a major crush on the daughter of his father’s boss. Not knowing exactly how to go about getting a girl to like him, Ben decides to treat this like any other experiment. He must do research and take notes about Jennifer in hopes that his knowledge leads Project Jennifer to successful results. Unfortunately both projects don’t go according to the original plans. Ben learns that Zan is not reaching to expectations of the university scientists and he has to go. Ben refuses to easily give up on his baby brother and, along with his mother and a former research student from the project, does whatever he can to stop Zan from being sent to a harmful testing facility.
Set in the 1970s, Oppel writes a touching story embodying the tone of the decade. While some would stop at nothing to improve life for humans, others fought tooth and nail to protect the rights of every living thing. Half Brother is a wonderful story about family and acceptance and will win over animal lovers. While Zan may steal the show, Ben is a realistic character that compels readers to cheer when things go well, cry during the hard times, and fight with everything they have for the cause.
jasonlall9's review against another edition
2.0
I really prefer Kenneth Oppel when he's doing dark fantasy epics (This Dark Endeavor) or whirlwind steampunk adventures (Airborn). This novel had all the ingredients- good plot, good research, three-dimensional characters... but I didn't feel an emotional pull. I wish I did. Oppel explores a lot of areas that he only touches upon but never really explores, and that's okay- it's just a book about a boy who finds a brother in a chimpanzee. But the last 100 pages or so feel redundant to me and instead of strengthening or providing more intimacy in the relationship between Ben and Zan, it halts. It's a good book, so my 2 stars pretty much fits GoodRead's textbook definition, being 'okay'.
freereverie's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful story about what makes a family, centered around 13-year-old Ben and his "little brother," a chimpanzee named Zan.
cheshirematt's review against another edition
5.0
I can't even gather my thoughts well enough to write a cohesive review so I'm just going to keep it short and simple.
This book was a solid 5/5 the entire way through. Some books have their ratings either dropped or picked up within various parts of the book, but this book was constant throughout the entire journey.
I have not cried this much for a book more than this one. And it is very rare that I cry after reading books.
This book just moved me so much. It really hit home for me and it hit really hard.
I will continue to love this book time and time again because the ending was so realistic. It was so bittersweet and I'm not sure if I love the ending or hate it. I just know that the ending makes me very emotional and perfectly sums up the entire book within one sequence.
I love this book so much. It's now one of my favourites of all time. Do yourself a favour and read it.
And if you decide to, just know you're going to fall in love with Zan, the Chimpanzee.
Congratulations, Kenneth Oppel, for creating one of the best books of all time.
And thank you.
This book was a solid 5/5 the entire way through. Some books have their ratings either dropped or picked up within various parts of the book, but this book was constant throughout the entire journey.
I have not cried this much for a book more than this one. And it is very rare that I cry after reading books.
This book just moved me so much. It really hit home for me and it hit really hard.
I will continue to love this book time and time again because the ending was so realistic. It was so bittersweet and I'm not sure if I love the ending or hate it. I just know that the ending makes me very emotional and perfectly sums up the entire book within one sequence.
I love this book so much. It's now one of my favourites of all time. Do yourself a favour and read it.
And if you decide to, just know you're going to fall in love with Zan, the Chimpanzee.
Congratulations, Kenneth Oppel, for creating one of the best books of all time.
And thank you.
dallybadger's review against another edition
4.0
I love chimps who sign, I just can't help it. Luckily there is a thought-provoking, interesting and teen-relateable story that goes with it. The main character, Ben, has real emotions and real conversations. Good recommendation for animal lovers and/or kids around 13 or 15 years old.
mcampany's review against another edition
5.0
Broke my heart repeatedly, but still made me very happy and laugh a lot. Amazing.
smithkatiea's review against another edition
4.0
This one's a thinker. Great story. Interesting and different.