Hello friends! It’s me, your friendly neighborhood author! You may not have heard much from me over the past several years here at Ye Olde Blog, but that’s because I’ve been doing very important things like eating string cheese and teaching Hudson how to do the Mannequin Challenge.
In between all of these exciting and action-packed activities, though, I’ve also been writing a book called FAR FROM THE TREE. Well, “writing” seems to stretch the truth a bit. There was definitely writing, but there were also some real hand-wringing moments of despair where I thought I’d never figure out this book, its plot, or its characters. This is my sixth book, so you’d think it’d be easy to write it. WRONG. WRONG WRONG WRONG. It was the hardest book I’ve ever written, hands down, but I’m so proud of it and I can’t wait to share it with you.
It’s a book about family and love and parents and siblings, and how those things change over time, interacting with each other and becoming more than the sum of their parts. I think the jacket copy explains it better than I can:
FAR FROM THE TREE
Coming October 3, 2017 from Harper Teen
“Being the middle child has its ups and downs.
But for Grace, an only child who was adopted at birth, discovering that she is a middle child is a different ride altogether. After putting her own baby up for adoption, she goes looking for her biological family, including—
Maya, her loudmouthed younger bio sister, who has a lot to say about their newfound family ties. Having grown up the snarky brunette in a house full of chipper redheads, she’s quick to search for traces of herself among these not-quite-strangers. And when her adopted family’s long-buried problems begin to explode to the surface, Maya can’t help but wonder where exactly it is that she belongs.
And Joaquin, their stoic older bio brother, who has no interest in bonding over their shared biological mother. After seventeen years in the foster care system, he’s learned that there are no heroes, and secrets and fears are best kept close to the vest, where they can’t hurt anyone but him.
Robin Benway’s beautiful interweaving story of three very different teenagers connected by blood explores the meaning of family in all its forms—how to find it, how to keep it, and how to love it.”
Also? I’m kind of hopelessly in love with its cover.
This gorgeous jacket was designed by Philip Pascuzzo over at Pepco Studio, and I’d just like to say that I am FURIOUSLY HAPPY about it! I think it’s a perfect representation of Joaquin, Maya, and Grace and their stories. I can’t wait for you to meet them.
In the meantime, you’re welcome to add FAR FROM THE TREE to Goodreads or pre-order at your local indie bookstore or other such establishments.
I’m looking forward to sharing more news and updates with you, but in the meantime, I hope your winter is thawing into spring and you’re doing well. Hudson sends his love. So do I.
RB XO