Half Bad facts for kids
Front cover of the first edition of Half Bad
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| Author | Sally Green |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Half Bad trilogy |
| Genre | Young adult (Fantasy) |
| Publisher | Puffin Books (UK) Viking Press (US) |
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Publication date
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4 March 2014 (US) 3 March 2014 (UK) |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 400pp (hardback, first edition) |
| ISBN | 9780670016785 |
| Followed by | Half Wild |
Half Bad is an exciting fantasy novel written by English author Sally Green. It was first published in 2014. This book is part of a series called The Half Bad trilogy.
What makes Half Bad special is how it's told. It uses a mix of first-person and second-person storytelling. This means sometimes the story is told from the main character's point of view, using "I," and sometimes it speaks directly to the reader, using "you."
Before it was even released in the UK, Half Bad became very famous. On March 3, 2014, it earned a Guinness World Record. It was recognized as the 'Most Translated Book by a Debut Author, Pre-publication'. This means it was sold to be translated into 45 different languages before it even came out!
Contents
What is Half Bad About?
The story of Half Bad takes place in a world where there are two kinds of witches: White Witches and Black Witches. White Witches are seen as good, while Black Witches are considered evil.
The main character is a boy named Nathan Byrn. He is special because his mother was a White Witch, but his father is the most feared Black Witch of all time. This makes Nathan a "half-code" witch, and he is treated with suspicion and fear by everyone.
Nathan's Difficult Life
Nathan lives a very hard life. He is kept in a cage and watched all the time. He is often punished and treated badly because of who his father is.
As Nathan gets older, he needs to receive his magical "gifts" from his father. This is a special ceremony that all witches go through when they turn 17. If he doesn't get his gifts, he will die. But finding his father is very dangerous, especially since everyone wants to stop him.
A World of Danger and Magic
Nathan's journey is full of challenges. He has to learn to survive in a world that hates him. He also has to figure out who he can trust.
The book explores themes of good versus evil, prejudice, and finding your own identity. Nathan must decide if he will follow the path of his feared father or create his own destiny.
Main Characters
- Nathan Byrn: The main character, a "half-code" witch. He is brave and determined, even though he faces a lot of unfair treatment.
- Annalise: A White Witch girl who becomes Nathan's friend. Their friendship is complicated because of the rules between White and Black Witches.
- Gabriel: A mysterious Black Witch who helps Nathan on his journey. He is a loyal friend and offers Nathan support when he needs it most.
Why is Half Bad Special?
Half Bad stands out for several reasons. Its unique way of telling the story, using both first and second person, makes it very engaging.
The book also explores deep ideas about fairness and belonging. It makes readers think about how people are judged based on their family or background.
A Record-Breaking Debut
Sally Green's first novel breaking a Guinness World Record before publication shows how much excitement it created. This was a huge achievement for a new author.
The book's success means it reached many readers around the world. It showed that stories about difficult choices and finding your place can connect with people everywhere.
About the Author
Sally Green is an English author. Half Bad was her very first novel, and it became a huge success.
She continued Nathan's story in two more books: Half Wild and Half Lost. Together, these three books form The Half Bad trilogy.
See also
In Spanish: El lado oscuro (novela) para niños
