Half Brother

Half Brother, by Kenneth Oppel
On Ben's thirteenth birthday he is given a new baby brother...in the form of a hairy chimpanzee to be raised in the family as part of his behavioural scientitist's dad's 'Project Zan'. As part of an experiment to discover if chimpanzees can learn, Ben fosters a true connection with Zan as they learn to communicate through sign language. Though with his animalistic instincts and the detattched view his father holds of the scientific specicim, Ben is left wondering what will happen when the experiment inevitably ends. As the media circus descends on the unorthodox family and Ben develops and new friendship with the lovely Jennifer, Oppel poigniontly depicts the whirlwind of emotions detailed in the pages of this gripping tale.
This moving and original novel delves into the themes of science, family values and the tough lessons of growing up, narrated in the authentic voice of Ben Tomlin in which all readers can relate to.
Age Range: Young Teen, £6.99, Paperback