Half a World Away

Originally published in Australia as Amy & Louis, this adorable and endearing picture-book tells the story of two young friends who are inseparable, until one of them moves "half a world away." Whether building towers that reach the sky, or discovering the hidden shapes in the clouds above, the two best friends (and next-door neighbors) spend their days together, summoning each other with a special call - "Coo-ee Am-ee" / "Coo-ee Lou-ee" - whenever they want to play. But when Amy and her family move far away, their call no longer works. Or does it...?

I originally added Half a World Away to my TBR shelf because I am interested in the work of illustrator Freya Blackwood, whose artwork can also be found in the gorgeous The Selkie and the show more Fisherman, and I wanted to see more of her work. I was not disappointed, in that respect - the paintings here are delightful, with the same deft use of light and color, and sweetly expressive characters, as in the selkie book - but I also discovered a talented author, in Libby Gleeson, who was previously unknown to me. I can't say I found the resolution surprising, but it was sweet and satisfying, for all that. Recommended to young children who have had to move, or who have mourned a friend having to move, as well as to Freya Blackwood fans. show less

Amy & Louis are two children who live next door united by their love of imaginary adventures, dressing up and their practical proximity in age and geography. When Amy moves to the other side of the world with her family the young friends are distraught. Perhaps the playmates’ friendship is more powerful than the distance that separates them.

Libby Gleeson’s simple story, accompanied by Freya Blackwood’s heart-warmingly beautiful illustrations, is a story of love and friendship despite the tyranny of distance. Freya Blackwood’s deliciously evocative illustrations perfectly communicate the despair of the separated friends, with the surprise twist at the end of the story book offering hope and consolation to readers.

This book is about best friends, Amy and Louie. They do everything together, digging holes, building towers, and staring at clouds. They even have a special call for one another. One day, Amy moves half way around the world. They are both very sad and lonely. Louie calls their special call out and seahorse shaped clouds float all the way from Louie's house to Amy's house.
I really like this book. Being in a military family and moving a lot, I see how hard it is for my children to move away from their friends.
In the classroom, the teacher could ask the students if they have ever had a friend that moved away. They could then also explain that even though friends move away, they are still our friends. Then the students could color a picture show more or write a letter to a friend. Even start a pen pal system up with another school. show less

This book tells the story of two neighbors and best friends named Amy and Louie. The two are heartbroken when Amy moves half way across the world. Louie stops playing and becomes very sad. He then shouts as loud as he can so that Amy might hear him. Amy wakes up the next morning claiming she had a dream where Louie shouted her name. Louie then sleeps happy knowing Amy heard him. The main character development aspect I was able to notice was the act of accepting reality and making the best out of it. Louie spent a good bit of time sad and gloomy when Amy left however he then learns that even though she if not physically there with him thats okay. This was a good book as far as a story line and illustrations go. However to me, I felt show more there was no clear message or lesson made that would be obvious to a child. show less

Half a World Away is a truly amazing book about two childhood friends that do everything together, they even have a secret call for each other. But one day the kids learn that Amy is moving half way around the world and the kids are heartbroken. Louie and Amy wanted to use the secret call to call each other but everyone told them that the other wouldn't be able to hear because they were to far away, but how the author ends this book is awesome.

I can really relate to this book because three years ago my best friend moved to Germany. We have been friends since kindergarten and have done everything together, so this was pretty devastating to us. there are times in which i want to call her, but it is hard because they are 7 hours ahead of show more us. so this book now has a special place in my heart.

For classroom extension ideas i would contact another school and set up penpals for my students and have them write letters every month and then at the end of the year set up a meeting for the students. I may also have the students brainstorm some ideas for Louie and Amy of how they could talk to each other. show less

This book is a story of a wonderful friendship between 2 young children who have grown to be best friends. They have a special call for each other when they are ready to play with each other or want to find the other. The girl of the friendship ends up having to move around the world away from him. He wonders if she could still hear his call.

Growing up, a friend is one of the most memorable and happiest childhood moments of almost everyone's. A friendship is definately something to be treasured. Growing up I had a friend that lived 2 blocks down my road. Almost every day we would meet eachother half way at our "special spot" and walk together the rest of the way to eachothers house. I believe this booked linked to my memories of this show more friendship.

Classroom extensions:
- Setting up a pen pal system with another school, or a children's facility.
-The book talks about how at her new home "she couldn't dig holes and the clouds only brought rain." We could discuss and explore the different types of living environments such as the country, urban, big city.
- Also have a group discussion on moving experiences. Let the students share personal moving stories or stories of others moving away from them and how they dealt with it. show less

Such a cute book to read to students. Amy and Louie were best friends they lived right next door to each other. They would play outside together every single day. Until one day Amy moved far, far away, half way around the world.