Halfway to Harmony - by Barbara O'Connor

About the Book

"Walter Tipple is looking for adventure. He keeps having a dream that his big brother, Tank, appears before him and says, 'Let's you and me go see my world, little man.' But Tank went to the army and never came home, and Walter doesn't know how to see the world without him. Then he meets Posey, the brash new girl from next door, and an eccentric man named Banjo, who's off on a bodacious adventure of his own. What follows is a summer of taking chances, becoming braver, and making friends--and maybe Walter can learn who he wants to be without the brother he always wanted to be like. Halfway to Harmony is an utterly charming story about change and growing up"--

Book Synopsis

A powerful middle-grade novel from Barbara O'Connor, New York Times-bestselling author of Wish, about a boy who is about to go on the biggest adventure of his life. Perfect for fans of Katherine Applegate and Kate DiCamillo.

Walter Tipple is looking for adventure. He keeps having a dream that his big brother, Tank, appears before him and says, "Let's you and me go see my world, little man." But Tank went to the army and never came home, and Walter doesn't know how to see the world without him.

Then he meets Posey, the brash new girl from next door, and an eccentric man named Banjo, who's off on a bodacious adventure of his own. What follows is a summer of taking chances, becoming braver, and making friends--and maybe Walter can learn who he wants to be without the brother he always wanted to be like.

Halfway to Harmony is an utterly charming story about change, friendship, and growing up.

Don't miss Barbara O'Connor's other heartwarming middle-grade titles:
Wish
Wonderland
How to Steal a Dog
Greetings from Nowhere
Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia
The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester
and Dream, the standalone companion to Wish, coming to bookstores on 8/26/25!

Review Quotes

"The two children balance fear with bravery. . .Heartfelt and accessible." --Kirkus Reviews

"This friendship story is sweet and savory, with memorable main characters in Walter, Posey, and Banjo and a story elegant in its simplicity." --Booklist

"The technical details of retrieving, repairing, launching, and piloting a hot-air balloon add flavor and expand the audience for this feel-good friendship story, and Walter's balloon ride satisfyingly fulfills Tank's dream-given promise of a new perspective on his familiar world." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"O'Connor's characters are vividly portrayed, especially Walter, whose insight illustrates his grief. . .Banjo and Posey's antics provide levity, and the quest to save Banjo's balloon propels the plot forward, resulting in a feel-good novel. reminiscent of Moon Over Manifest." --Publishers Weekly

"With its fast pace, liberal use of Southern idioms, one bodacious adventure, and memorable characters, this book has read-aloud written all over it." --The Horn Book