FAR FROM THE TREE by Robin Benway.  New York:  HarperTeen, 2017.  374p.  ISBN: 978006-233062-8 hc. $17.99     Gr.9-12     YA FIC

Instead of attending the homecoming dance with her boyfriend, sixteen year-old Grace finds herself giving birth to a baby girl who will be up for adoption.  Grace chose the family, but questions how the baby will feel when she realizes her biological mom couldn't keep her.  Grace was adopted, and has those questions every day.  She needs to find the woman who gave her away.  Thus begins the tale of three adopted siblings, Grace, Maya, and Joaquin, who find each other with the help of their very supportive adoptive parents.  Maya's parents had a baby after adopting her, leaving her feeling like an outsider, even though she knows they love her.  Joaquin's parents want to adopt him, but he feels unworthy because of his childhood spent in foster homes.  All three have a missing piece in their lives, and decide to find their bio mom.  What they find is a way to leave their hurt behind and allow themselves to build new relationships with the people they love. Three vibrant characters tell the story through their own perspectives.
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI