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beths0103's review against another edition
5.0
I've never read a YA book like this before. It is by far one of the best books of 2010.
At 13, Ben Tomlin has been an only child his whole life. But then his father decides to uproot their small family from Toronto to Victoria to begin an experiment on whether chimpanzees can acquire language, he is at first skeptical. Living with the family from the time he was eight days old, Zan quickly becomes a member of the family - to Ben and his mother anyway. Ben's father merely sees him as an experimental test subject, causing much animosity in the house.
I have enjoyed Kenneth Oppel's work in the past, and Half Brother is definitely his most important book to date. It deals with some tough questions on animal experimentation, and in perfect cadence, leaves us with more questions than answers. This book is meant to be a discussion; it doesn't claim to have all the answers.
At 13, Ben Tomlin has been an only child his whole life. But then his father decides to uproot their small family from Toronto to Victoria to begin an experiment on whether chimpanzees can acquire language, he is at first skeptical. Living with the family from the time he was eight days old, Zan quickly becomes a member of the family - to Ben and his mother anyway. Ben's father merely sees him as an experimental test subject, causing much animosity in the house.
I have enjoyed Kenneth Oppel's work in the past, and Half Brother is definitely his most important book to date. It deals with some tough questions on animal experimentation, and in perfect cadence, leaves us with more questions than answers. This book is meant to be a discussion; it doesn't claim to have all the answers.
literallykalasin's review against another edition
4.0
When Ben's parents move him from Toronto to Victoria so they can conduct the chimpanzee research they've always dreamed of, he isn't happy. Even less so when Ben discovers that Zan the chimp will be living with them as part of the family. However, things change and Ben grows to think of Zan as the person they are raising him to be and as his little brother. When the experiment ends as the funding dries up, Ben is forced to face the reality that Zan isn't really part of the family.
Kenneth Oppel really weaves together the threads of family struggles, growing up, and the ethics of animal testing of all kinds together in an extremely cohesive, thought-provoking, and ultimately readable way.
Kenneth Oppel really weaves together the threads of family struggles, growing up, and the ethics of animal testing of all kinds together in an extremely cohesive, thought-provoking, and ultimately readable way.
seifknits's review against another edition
3.0
1970s story with the POV of a 13-year-old boy whose parents are engaged in a scientific project to teach a chimpanzee to use sign language.
I enjoyed the book, but thought Oppel backed off a little at the end. At one point, I thought he was going to make a point about what language really is (and isn't), but he made a 90-degree turn and his point instead seemed to be about using animals for scientific research. Should have stuck with the language issue.
I enjoyed the book, but thought Oppel backed off a little at the end. At one point, I thought he was going to make a point about what language really is (and isn't), but he made a 90-degree turn and his point instead seemed to be about using animals for scientific research. Should have stuck with the language issue.
jennchandler's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting concept. A fascinating exploration of what is right and wrong, and what it means to be human. Good storyline and characters. Well worth reading.
kelleemoye's review against another edition
5.0
Ben is introduced to Zan when he is 8 days old. Zan is his new baby brother. At first Ben is resistant to loving Zan, but that changes as he gets to know him. Ben loves Zan more than anything in the world. He would do anything for him. But others, including his father, don't understand why he has such an attachment to Zan. Yes, Zan is his brother, but Zan is also a chimp. A chimp who Ben's father is researching by conducting an experiment to see if chimps can learn language. To Ben, Zan has become a member of the family, but to others, he is just a specimen.
Ever since I started teaching and I was introduced to Willie B. through a short story and Sukari in Hurt Go Happy, I have gotten a mild obsession with apes- specifically chimps, gorillas and orangutans. I have often visited the Center for Great Apes where I learned even more about the life of chimps in entertainment, testing and living with humans.
Also, in the last couple of years, I have been introduced to Kenneth Oppel through his other books- Matt Cruse series, Victor Frankenstein and Silverwing- and I have adored every word of his that I have read/listened to.
So, when Half Brother came out, I knew it was a book I had to read. But then it got pushed aside again and again. For some reason, I just never got around to it. Until my best friend listened to it and insisted it be the next audiobook I read- and I am so glad she did! Half Brother is such a touching, suspenseful, well-done, amazing story. It pulls at your heart strings throughout and makes you think about all that it means to be human.
Kenneth Oppel obviously did a lot of research for this project. Half Brother is set in the 1970s at the peak of chimp research including research for the space program, medicine and language acquisition (Project Nim & Project Washoe) and also the beginning of protest against such experiments. This book teaches you the history of this time through a fictional experiment that is not much different than the real ones.
Half Brother is an emotion-filled, thought-provoking book which brings Zan and his family to life in 1973. This book is made to be a discussion as it introduces so many tough topics and is one that I cannot wait to discuss with students.
Reviewed posted at: http://www.teachmentortexts.com/2012/09/half-brother.html
Ever since I started teaching and I was introduced to Willie B. through a short story and Sukari in Hurt Go Happy, I have gotten a mild obsession with apes- specifically chimps, gorillas and orangutans. I have often visited the Center for Great Apes where I learned even more about the life of chimps in entertainment, testing and living with humans.
Also, in the last couple of years, I have been introduced to Kenneth Oppel through his other books- Matt Cruse series, Victor Frankenstein and Silverwing- and I have adored every word of his that I have read/listened to.
So, when Half Brother came out, I knew it was a book I had to read. But then it got pushed aside again and again. For some reason, I just never got around to it. Until my best friend listened to it and insisted it be the next audiobook I read- and I am so glad she did! Half Brother is such a touching, suspenseful, well-done, amazing story. It pulls at your heart strings throughout and makes you think about all that it means to be human.
Kenneth Oppel obviously did a lot of research for this project. Half Brother is set in the 1970s at the peak of chimp research including research for the space program, medicine and language acquisition (Project Nim & Project Washoe) and also the beginning of protest against such experiments. This book teaches you the history of this time through a fictional experiment that is not much different than the real ones.
Half Brother is an emotion-filled, thought-provoking book which brings Zan and his family to life in 1973. This book is made to be a discussion as it introduces so many tough topics and is one that I cannot wait to discuss with students.
Reviewed posted at: http://www.teachmentortexts.com/2012/09/half-brother.html
megtk_01's review against another edition
5.0
Great book for young adults and adults. Ben's struggle with his parents', as well as the world's view, on what is right and wrong is one that is very understandable. I too found myself wondering the same things as he does throughout the novel.
mint9's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, this book was so heartbreaking...
I loved Zan and his relationship with Ben. They were so close and it felt amazing. The plot just made the book even better even though the plot was very sad
I loved Zan and his relationship with Ben. They were so close and it felt amazing. The plot just made the book even better even though the plot was very sad
drrawsonreads's review against another edition
5.0
This book will stick with me for a long time! The story follows Ben, a Canadian teenager who is the son of two behavioral scientists. His parents want to prove that animals can learn language, and as a family they "adopt" a baby chimpanzee named Zan. Ben is told to treat Zan as his baby brother, and although Ben at first resents Zan's intrusion into his life, their relationship slowly builds into something special.
There are many reasons why I loved this book: the science is interesting, the story is believable, and Zan is a fantastic character. But Ben is the main reason that I rated this five stars. He is one of the most true-to-life thirteen-year-olds I've ever read. He's not mature beyond his years, or super smart. He's just a regular teenager - he says and does stupid things sometimes, he often lets his emotions get the better of him, and he struggles with his social status at school. At times he feels like the "Alpha Male," but at other times he feels completely powerless. His parents, rather than being tangential to the narrative as in so many young adult books, are central to Ben's life and to the story (although not always in a positive way), and his relationship with them was another part of the book that I found to be entirely believable.
The one thing I would mention as a slight annoyance is the fact that neither the book jacket nor the beginning pages of the book mention the time period for the story - it takes place in the early 70's. I didn't figure that out until around 20 pages in (although I probably should have guessed from the premise). All in all though, this is a fabulous book.
There are many reasons why I loved this book: the science is interesting, the story is believable, and Zan is a fantastic character. But Ben is the main reason that I rated this five stars. He is one of the most true-to-life thirteen-year-olds I've ever read. He's not mature beyond his years, or super smart. He's just a regular teenager - he says and does stupid things sometimes, he often lets his emotions get the better of him, and he struggles with his social status at school. At times he feels like the "Alpha Male," but at other times he feels completely powerless. His parents, rather than being tangential to the narrative as in so many young adult books, are central to Ben's life and to the story (although not always in a positive way), and his relationship with them was another part of the book that I found to be entirely believable.
The one thing I would mention as a slight annoyance is the fact that neither the book jacket nor the beginning pages of the book mention the time period for the story - it takes place in the early 70's. I didn't figure that out until around 20 pages in (although I probably should have guessed from the premise). All in all though, this is a fabulous book.
jeev1017's review against another edition
4.0
I wish i could say this book was a five star, but I don't really LOVE this book. i thought that some part of this book was unnecessary, like the whole liking the girl thing......but the strong relationship the main character had with his brother the chimpanzee.... was really sweet..:)