Fifteen-year old, Jamie Regina Napa comes to New Jersey to stay with her grandma who sent her to school in the Philippines. When school bullies cause her surgery, Jamie questions her courage and strength to realize her hope and dream of bringing her siblings and parents to America to be with her grandma. More conflicts arise when her sister Jackie learns of the recent Sandy Hook School murders killing innocent students as young as six and seven year olds, and as many as 26 victims. Jackie has to confront her own fears and decide if she would be able to be with Jamie who worked so hard to help her come over. The young heroine goes through homesickness, prejudice and sadness over the loss of her young love. She tries to work hard to offset her grief, earns a scholarship and works to save for her sibling's arrival. Yet she has self-doubts and wonders whether her pursuit of the American dream is all worth her effort. Although the U.S. labels some economically disadvantaged places "third world countries" because these countries do not have the modern conveniences and material wealth that we enjoy here, yet the values that come from those countries that cling to simple living through patient and humble loving are values just as powerful as gold. This young adult fiction describes the power of love. Is our young heroine strong enough to hold on to her inner courage to find love? Jamie and Jackie, our young protagonists are challenged to meet their own fears and doubts. This Young Adult Fiction is empowering and real Half the World Away is creative fiction based on the reality of our times. It is inspirational because ordinary adolescents struggle to recognize their weakness and inner courage.