WARNING: SPOILER ALERT OF THE BOOK!
Half Brother is an engaging book about the life of a 13 year old boy by the name of Ben Tomlin. Ben's father is a behavioral scientist examining if chimps have the ability, like us humans, to learn American Sign Language (ASL). For the experiment, Ben must leave his life behind in Toronto, and move across the country to a house in Victoria. The day Mom brings home the baby chimp, Ben is astonished. Zan, the chimp and Ben's new "baby brother", must be raised as a human child- wearing clothes, drinking from a bottle, and playing with toys. On Ben's first encounter meeting the Godwins, Mr. Tomlin's boss, he finds Mr. Godwin's daughter, Jennifer quite attractive. However, he keeps the thought to himself- away from his family, and especially David, Jennifer's older brother. After meeting the Godwins, Ben's parents decide to enroll Ben to Windermere University School, the same school David and Jennifer attend.
Soon enough, Ben becomes friends with Tim Borden, a kid in his neighbourhood. One night, Ben and Tim cycle down to the construction site nearby. Jamie and Mike, two of Tim's friends, are waiting for them. They get into mischief and Ben regrets some of the decisions he had made.
Gradually, Zan's vocabulary increases. He picks up how to sign words such as drink, and hug. However, he also gets more energetic and aggressive. One day, Zan bites Mr. Tomlin, and Ben realizes that his relationship with the chimp is growing stronger. He feels emotions that Zan feels, and is constantly watching out for him- but Mr. Tomlin thinks that their relationship may soon affect Project Zan. Mr. Tomlin then starts interviewing students to work with Zan, and help record data. One particular student, Peter McIvor, shares a bond with Ben, and the two of them become good friends. At first sight, Ben is positive that Zan would like Peter, and that Peter would like Zan.
Two weeks later, Ben officially starts school at Windermere. He decides that he would be a new Ben in a new school- he would be the dominant male. On his first day, he makes an impression of being chimp boy. Soon he starts hanging out with David and his friend Hugh. A few weeks later, Time Magazine does a story on Project Zan. Everything runs smoothly, and as planned. Although they did not make the front cover of the magazine, they had a six page story with tons of pictures of Zan and Ben. A while later, Ben realizes that he needs to work harder if he wants to get Jennifer to notice him. He starts Project Jennifer, and slowly tracks things about her in his logbook. Their relationship strengthens, and Ben is thrilled when Jennifer kisses him at the school dance.
One evening when Ben returns from school, he spots Dad's car in the driveway. Mr. Tomlin tells him that they didn't get the big grant they were hoping for. He was sure that achieving it would be easy, but things did not turn out the way he desired. The data collected was not extensive enough. In order to collect more data, Mr. Tomlin introduces the learning chair. Zan is to be strapped into the chair and sign while the students record data. Mr. Tomlin makes Ben officially a part of Project Zan. He helps out with shifts, and watches out for Zan. One day, Mom and Ben catch Zan signing to his dolls. This excites the family, and indicates Zan's progress to them. However, Zan bites Ryan, mr. Tomlin's favourite student, and breaks his finger. Ben interferes to protect Zan, and question the situation. Ben's father finds this an issue, and removes Ben from Project Zan. The brothers are allowed to spend time with each other Sunday afternoons. One particular Sunday, Ben takes Zan to the park. There he sees Tim and Mike. After conversation, Mike attacks Zan with rocks and gets into a fist fight with Ben. This complicates the relationship between Mike and Ben, leaving Tim in an uncomfortable position.
In the summer, Ben learns that the Godwin family is going on a family trip to Europe, for 6 weeks. While they are traveling, Greg Jaworski, a linguist from Berkeley, is introduced to Project Zan to assure that Zan is learning language accurately. The Tomlin family, along with Jaworski, film Zan signing on a daily basis to review his language traits. When Jennifer and the Godwin family return from vacation, Ben notices that Jennifer is acting strangely. Instead of greeting him, and chatting with Ben, she stays close to Jane and Shannon, her best friends. After David finds out about Project Jennifer, the relationship between Jennifer and Ben increases in its complexity. Ben realizes that David has told his sister about Project Jennifer, which is why she has been ignoring him lately. When Ben talks to David about Project Jennifer, he is informed that Jennifer likes Hugh. Though he is still upset about Jennifer, Ben also learns that Jane likes him. Meanwhile, CBS films a piece on Project Zan, to air on 60 Minutes. However, it receives negative publicity about the learning chair which was sent by Susan Wilkes, a former student working with Zan. Adding to the frustration, Dr. Tomlin decides it is best to shut down Project Zan. Greg Jaworski informs Dr. Tomlin that Zan is not learning language, but instead imitating the Tomlin family. Zan is aware that if he signs the way the Tomlins want him to, he will receive the things he desires. Zan is then sent to Dr. Jack Helson, at Siegel University’s prime institute. However, the environment is quite different from Zan’s usual surroundings. Nevertheless, Zan must learn to live with Dr. Helson and stay strong around his fellow chimps.
Jennifer starts dating Hugh, and Shannon and Ben kiss at the dance. He realizes that you can't make someone or something like you. No matter how hard you try, it is up to destiny- even if your loved ones are taken away. Mom informs Ben that the two of them will be taking a road trip to Nevada to visit Zan. When they reach there, Peter informs them that Helson is going to sell Zan to the Thurston Foundation- one of the worst animal foundations. THe three decide to steal Zan, and save him from Helson's evil plan.
After stealing Zan, Ben and his mom return to Victoria. Mr. Tomlin is shocked to find out about their actions. Mr. Tomlin realizes that Ben really does love Zan, and agrees to help find a way to protect him. Ben starts raising money and accepting donations to buy Zan back from Helson. Unfortunately, Helson refuses to sell Zan back to the Tomlin family. With anger and frustration, Ben and Zan run away to live in the forest for a few days. Once again, Mike attacks Zan when he sees them in the woods. Ben is enraged but does not know what to do.
The power of media eventually tracked down Helson, and proved that he indeed did try to sell Zan to the Thurston Foundation. The media saved them in the end. Zan is taken to the sanctuary, and lives a happy life there. Ben is sad that Zan was taken away from him, but glad that his brother is happy where he is.
Half Brother is an engaging book about the life of a 13 year old boy by the name of Ben Tomlin. Ben's father is a behavioral scientist examining if chimps have the ability, like us humans, to learn American Sign Language (ASL). For the experiment, Ben must leave his life behind in Toronto, and move across the country to a house in Victoria. The day Mom brings home the baby chimp, Ben is astonished. Zan, the chimp and Ben's new "baby brother", must be raised as a human child- wearing clothes, drinking from a bottle, and playing with toys. On Ben's first encounter meeting the Godwins, Mr. Tomlin's boss, he finds Mr. Godwin's daughter, Jennifer quite attractive. However, he keeps the thought to himself- away from his family, and especially David, Jennifer's older brother. After meeting the Godwins, Ben's parents decide to enroll Ben to Windermere University School, the same school David and Jennifer attend.
Soon enough, Ben becomes friends with Tim Borden, a kid in his neighbourhood. One night, Ben and Tim cycle down to the construction site nearby. Jamie and Mike, two of Tim's friends, are waiting for them. They get into mischief and Ben regrets some of the decisions he had made.
Gradually, Zan's vocabulary increases. He picks up how to sign words such as drink, and hug. However, he also gets more energetic and aggressive. One day, Zan bites Mr. Tomlin, and Ben realizes that his relationship with the chimp is growing stronger. He feels emotions that Zan feels, and is constantly watching out for him- but Mr. Tomlin thinks that their relationship may soon affect Project Zan. Mr. Tomlin then starts interviewing students to work with Zan, and help record data. One particular student, Peter McIvor, shares a bond with Ben, and the two of them become good friends. At first sight, Ben is positive that Zan would like Peter, and that Peter would like Zan.
Two weeks later, Ben officially starts school at Windermere. He decides that he would be a new Ben in a new school- he would be the dominant male. On his first day, he makes an impression of being chimp boy. Soon he starts hanging out with David and his friend Hugh. A few weeks later, Time Magazine does a story on Project Zan. Everything runs smoothly, and as planned. Although they did not make the front cover of the magazine, they had a six page story with tons of pictures of Zan and Ben. A while later, Ben realizes that he needs to work harder if he wants to get Jennifer to notice him. He starts Project Jennifer, and slowly tracks things about her in his logbook. Their relationship strengthens, and Ben is thrilled when Jennifer kisses him at the school dance.
One evening when Ben returns from school, he spots Dad's car in the driveway. Mr. Tomlin tells him that they didn't get the big grant they were hoping for. He was sure that achieving it would be easy, but things did not turn out the way he desired. The data collected was not extensive enough. In order to collect more data, Mr. Tomlin introduces the learning chair. Zan is to be strapped into the chair and sign while the students record data. Mr. Tomlin makes Ben officially a part of Project Zan. He helps out with shifts, and watches out for Zan. One day, Mom and Ben catch Zan signing to his dolls. This excites the family, and indicates Zan's progress to them. However, Zan bites Ryan, mr. Tomlin's favourite student, and breaks his finger. Ben interferes to protect Zan, and question the situation. Ben's father finds this an issue, and removes Ben from Project Zan. The brothers are allowed to spend time with each other Sunday afternoons. One particular Sunday, Ben takes Zan to the park. There he sees Tim and Mike. After conversation, Mike attacks Zan with rocks and gets into a fist fight with Ben. This complicates the relationship between Mike and Ben, leaving Tim in an uncomfortable position.
In the summer, Ben learns that the Godwin family is going on a family trip to Europe, for 6 weeks. While they are traveling, Greg Jaworski, a linguist from Berkeley, is introduced to Project Zan to assure that Zan is learning language accurately. The Tomlin family, along with Jaworski, film Zan signing on a daily basis to review his language traits. When Jennifer and the Godwin family return from vacation, Ben notices that Jennifer is acting strangely. Instead of greeting him, and chatting with Ben, she stays close to Jane and Shannon, her best friends. After David finds out about Project Jennifer, the relationship between Jennifer and Ben increases in its complexity. Ben realizes that David has told his sister about Project Jennifer, which is why she has been ignoring him lately. When Ben talks to David about Project Jennifer, he is informed that Jennifer likes Hugh. Though he is still upset about Jennifer, Ben also learns that Jane likes him. Meanwhile, CBS films a piece on Project Zan, to air on 60 Minutes. However, it receives negative publicity about the learning chair which was sent by Susan Wilkes, a former student working with Zan. Adding to the frustration, Dr. Tomlin decides it is best to shut down Project Zan. Greg Jaworski informs Dr. Tomlin that Zan is not learning language, but instead imitating the Tomlin family. Zan is aware that if he signs the way the Tomlins want him to, he will receive the things he desires. Zan is then sent to Dr. Jack Helson, at Siegel University’s prime institute. However, the environment is quite different from Zan’s usual surroundings. Nevertheless, Zan must learn to live with Dr. Helson and stay strong around his fellow chimps.
Jennifer starts dating Hugh, and Shannon and Ben kiss at the dance. He realizes that you can't make someone or something like you. No matter how hard you try, it is up to destiny- even if your loved ones are taken away. Mom informs Ben that the two of them will be taking a road trip to Nevada to visit Zan. When they reach there, Peter informs them that Helson is going to sell Zan to the Thurston Foundation- one of the worst animal foundations. THe three decide to steal Zan, and save him from Helson's evil plan.
After stealing Zan, Ben and his mom return to Victoria. Mr. Tomlin is shocked to find out about their actions. Mr. Tomlin realizes that Ben really does love Zan, and agrees to help find a way to protect him. Ben starts raising money and accepting donations to buy Zan back from Helson. Unfortunately, Helson refuses to sell Zan back to the Tomlin family. With anger and frustration, Ben and Zan run away to live in the forest for a few days. Once again, Mike attacks Zan when he sees them in the woods. Ben is enraged but does not know what to do.
The power of media eventually tracked down Helson, and proved that he indeed did try to sell Zan to the Thurston Foundation. The media saved them in the end. Zan is taken to the sanctuary, and lives a happy life there. Ben is sad that Zan was taken away from him, but glad that his brother is happy where he is.