Half a World Away: The heart-warming, heart-breaking Richard and Judy Book Club selection

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Amy and Louis is told beautifully in two ways. There’s the rhythmical, repeating language which shows the reader the special friendship between the pair in a minimum of words. Then there’s the illustrations, which focus on red, blue and neutrals to create the magical world which the pair have created in their friendship. I particularly love how the illustrations show the difference between the suburban world in Australia and the frantic, busy world Amy moves to (which I assume is New York) HALF A WORLD AWAY is heartbreakingly lovely. Its main characters came to feel like friends of mine, and the book is full of such warmth and love. It truly captured my heart. -- Beth O'Leary, author of The Flatshare

Books and reading were hugely important. I remember going to the library on a Saturday morning and borrowing five or six books and reading them all by Sunday night. The baby’s name was Bahytzhan. In his picture he appeared Central Asian, and he had scabs on his forehead—from bugs? That’s how Jaden had gotten scabs on his face when he lived in Romania. Steve, his “dad,” had made three copies of the Bahytzhan picture: one for himself, one for Penni, and one for Jaden. Jaden kept his copy in a drawer in his night table. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love Mike Gayle’s writing. I’ve been a huge fan ever since I read his first book in the late 1990s and have eagerly awaited every new release since. Half A World Away his latest book is a warm, beautiful and compelling read which I devoured in two sittings and it did not disappoint. The characters were drawn well, especially the differences between Noah and Kerry. Broadly, the story was pulled together well - especially in the second half of the book. Very realistic in places - might have been half the problem for me!Heartbreaking and wonderful, a beautiful book about the power of love to surmount almost anything. (Julie Cohen) This is a good story about close friends who are separated by half the world - far too common for military families. The two friends still find a way to stay close, which is a glimmer of hope to young children in the same situation. I can't believe how much a star rating can jump! Rereading this book just made me realise just how beautifully written this book is. It focuses heavily on long lost families and rekindling relationships. I did tear up at the ending at how well Mike Gayle was able to capture the raw emotion of grieving and losing a loved one, it really hit home but think it was done beautifully. The U.S. debut of an incredible new illustrator introduces two everyday friends whose closeness endures no matter how far apart they are.

Steve and Penni met eyes again. Penni turned all the way around. “Jaden, it’s just that Steve read an article saying the baby seat should be in the middle. Okay?” I was also born in Birmingham — in my humble opinion the greatest city in the world with the nicest people too. I really enjoyed reading this book, and felt that I could relate quite well to the characters, as we have members of our family who have been adopted.Mike Gayle was born and raised in Birmingham. After graduating from Salford University with a degree in Sociology, he moved to London to pursue a career in journalism and worked as a Features Editor and agony uncle. He has written for a variety of publications including The Sunday Times, the Guardian and Cosmopolitan.