Happyface

There are two things that I loved about "Happyface." One is how fast paced the story was. It seemed like I just kept turning the pages without stopping to blink. Second, the information about what happened with Happyface's family and Chloe, the girl he left behind when he moved. Emond delivers this information at a very slow pace, and at times you're wondering what really happened. You're probably thinking I am contradicting myself, because I just said the story was fast paced. The story moved quickly, but the information that I think all the readers of this novel were looking was delivered very slowly to keep us all guessing. I know when clues were starting to be dropped I began to make my own assumptions, but the truth of what really show more did happen with his parents, his brother, and Chloe caught me off guard. It was like a swift blow to the stomach that took my breath away.

The main character, Happyface, has a sarcastic humor and is very insecure with his status. His older brother is the all American boy who is athletic, gets decent grades, and has many friends. He can do no wrong in the eyes of his parents. Of course, Happyface grows up in his brother's shadow. I noticed early on how Happyface would write a lot about not having any friends, and how he believed he needed to become more popular for Chloe to like him more. He moves to this new school, and he decides that he is going to reinvent himself as person. Happyface develops this theory that if he smiles all the time then more people will want to be around him, because everybody likes being around someone who is always happy. He becomes obsessed with the attention, and thirsts for the popularity that he has gained. He struggles with the fact that if he confronts the truth and just be himself he would be truly happy.

I despised the characters of Misty and Karma. They are sisters, and are friends with Gretchen who is Happyface's new love interest at the new school. When I first met Misty and Karma in the novel, I just felt something off with them. I knew if I met them in reality I wouldn't be able to trust them. Sure enough they stuck their noses into Happyface's past. They would ask him nonchalant questions about certain people or events right in front of everyone. They added a lot to the premise of the story, and were probably the main reason that Happyface had to eventually confront the truth. However, they just irritated me a boatload, and made me cringe whenever they opened their mouths.

Even though I gave this novel a rather low rating, I still encourage all of you out there to read it. This novel is a great example of how many people hide behind "masks" or smiles to run away from the truth. We all have these "masks." I know I have had several. The truth will always be there, and when we confront it we will then be truly happy. We don't have to conform to what society says we need to be in order to make friends. As long as we act like our unique selves, then we can find those true, sincere, and supportive friends that will be there for everything. show less

an interesting way to tell a tough story. i was a little frustrated that it took so long to figure out what happened and why there was a day that everything changed. but I did enjoy meeting the characters in such an original way and how the art added to the story.

After going through traumatic times, a troubled, socially awkward teenager moves to a new school where he tries to reinvent himself.

Wow, this is one great book. First off, underneath the smile on the jacket is a sad face. Genius. This book is part comic, part diary in the style of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. And it works. That's a hard format because you have to keep the story going throughout the art that's included. I think Stephen Emond did a great job with this. The topper for me is, I have NO idea what the main character's name is! They call him Happyface and his IM name is Cartoonboy but I couldn't find it anywhere. Love it!

Happyface is totally in love with the hot girl neighbor, Chloe, who show more also happens to be his BFF. She is also the only person he thinks he needs. His family is falling apart before his eyes. He decides to chronicle everything in a sketchpad he received from his dad. Unfortunately, things start going from bad to worse and he hits rock bottom on August 23rd:

"Today is the Day the World Changed, and that is all I will say because I don't ever want to think of it again."

Happyface moves to Crest Falls with his mom. "You lose your money and then you come here, with everyone else who's lost money." But then things start getting better because he figures out he can be whoever he wants because he's in a new town at a new school and nobody knows his past. So he changes background and becomes cool, confident Happyface. He has friends and he's funny and he may even have a girlfriend. But like all good things, this too must end. In the age of internet access, you can find out almost anything and his past gets Googled. Happyface finds he is still very angry about everything. And maybe there is more about his past he needs to uncover.

This was a powerful book. When Happyface first moves to his new school, he takes an oath. He will be himself despite his past. But then he decides that he will be someone else due to his past. And of course, we know it won't work, it never does. But Stephen Emond puts a little twist on it because Happyface's past didn't just come and jump him out of the blue, instead it snuck up on him so he thought he was ok and that if he just kept going like nothing happened, no one would be the wiser. It was painful and sad as things slowly started to unravel. He has to let the smile go.

The story was good and the characters interesting. Each one of Happyface's friends could have their own books. I would especially have loved to see this story continue with more about Gretchen, Happyface's second love. Gretchen always had at least two ex-boyfriends around her, she enjoyed drinking, and had a terrible relationship with her parents. As Happyface points out, she was also wearing a mask. show less

This is the journal of Happyface - a high school teen who's picking up the pieces of his shattered life and locking his pain away behind a happy face (hence his nickname). Yet, through his journal -- which contains a mix of comics, drawings, emails and hand written entries -- we discover the pain, anguish and effort behind Happyface. An emotional, yet uplifting and often humorous, read. The illustrations are engaging, and although the last page or so of the story is a bit preachy, the ride to get there more than makes up for it. Great for ages 12 and up.

Happyface is a fiction illustrated novel by Stephen Emond. The story is about a classic teenage boy and his struggles throughout his life. It is written through a series of journal entries and illustrations that help Happyface feel comfortable with expressing himself. He deals with issues that many teenagers often deal with, such as moving, friends, feeling uncool, girls, parents with alcoholism, and death. The novel is emotional, yet completely humorous and I think that is what pulls the reader into it.
I loved reading this book. I feel as if it is a book that many teenagers can relate to and I think it is written in a way that will engage throughout. It is a story about your typical teenage boy who is slightly intimidated to let his show more feelings be exposed. As the novel continues though, he opens up to himself and he opens up to his friends. I think this is a book the anyone could read and feel completely uplifted by the end of the novel. It also deals with a serious issue of alcoholism, which I think that is something that needs to be addressed with teenagers. It is an issue that either they might be going through, or they are even having to deal with it with their parents.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Happyface. I would bring this book into a middle/high school classroom any day. It seemed like an older version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid to me, but you can still laugh and have fun with the novel. Many teenagers struggle with being shy, wanting friends, and just being completely unsure of who they are. This book addresses that in a positive way and I believe it is extremely relatable. show less

This story is excellent in capturing the anxieties and awkwardness of adolescence. Often funny, sometimes pognant, always engaging.

Written as the main character's journal, this book chronicles a year in the life of Happyface the mask and identity the main character assumes at his new school as he tries to deal with several personal tragedies. Happyface tries to find love, friends, and companionship. Slowly his past is revealed in his journal.