Review: Happyface by Stephen Emond

Happyface by Stephen Emond Happyface is the journal and sketchbook of a boy about to start the tenth grade. When catastrophe strikes his family, he and his mom move to a new city and a new school. There, he takes on an experiment. An experiment to be well-liked and popular like he never was before. To do this, he must be happy; happy people are fun to be around. Some of his new friends dub him “Happyface,” and the name sticks. Happyface must deal with the hurts in his past while reinventing himself. When he meets Gretchen, the girl of his dreams, one of his major goals becomes getting a date with her. While making friends and having fun with his new identity, Happyface must eventually be honest with himself and come to terms with his past. Happyface continues trying to hide his old self from his new friends (especially Gretchen), but these things tend to come back to bite you.

Happyface is written in a journal/sketchbook style. Happyface writes candidly about his life, and illustrates his experiences with very detailed drawings. Occasionally, the story itself slips into a comic book style as Happyface makes his drawings have dialogue. In his drawings, Happyface sketches everyone else beautifully with great detail, but draws himself as a stick figure with a happy face. Happyface’s real name is also never mentioned throughout the story, which lends an interesting dynamic to his character. He wants to be known as “Happyface,” nothing else. This is a fun, easy read that will amuse fans of romantic fiction.

~ Kristen

note from the librarian: Happyface isn't in our catalogue yet but you can request it through Interlibrary Loan or check out Stephen Emond's other title, Winter Town.