Book: The Other Half of Me
Author: Emily Franklin
Pages: 290
Publisher: Viking
Reviewed by: Kat (Age 21)
Amazon.com Price: $10.87
Purchase: here

Jenny’s an artist. Much to her twin younger sister’s disgust she always has paint splatters on her clothes and is always daydreaming about colors, textures and her latest painting. In contrast her family; Mum, Dad, little brother and sisters are athletic, constantly chasing after balls and various other sporty endeavors. Jenny’s more likely to be knocked out by a ball then catch it. Her entire life she’s felt like an outsider in her own family and she suspects that’s something to do with her ‘real’ father; Donor #142.

As the summer draws to a close there’s a few major changes in Jenny’s life: her long time secret crush, the gorgeous and athletic Tate Brodeur, has finally noticed her and there’s a possibility that she might be able to get one of her paintings in an art show – if she can survive the harsh criticism of the Owner.

And then Jenny learns there’s a chance to find someone out there who knows exactly how she feels; a half brother or sister who shares her Donor father. She finds a half sister in New York but when she turns up on her doorstep Jenny finds she’s anything but what she expected. Finding the Other half of herself, as she’d hoped, may not be as easy as she thought.

The other Half of me is a deliciously unique book that is bound to make you think about the true meaning of family and the things that connect us to one another. Any teen who has a half brother or sister or has been adopted can most likely relate to Jenny’s questions about herself, her genes and what makes her the person she is. Ultimately her journey is encouraging and heart warming.

If you’re looking for a novel that is unique and universal: Check out The other Half of me. I definitely recommend it.