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 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.
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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. ( )

This is a wonderful book about a boy who's nickname is happyface, who tries to be a go lucky guy in his new town with his new friends. he tries to run from his past by trying to be a happy go lucky guy and saying yes to mostly everything. he tries to say yes to mostly everything including making out with his best friend. it started ( them being friends) when Happy Face starts drawing her ace in his notebook. she noticed him looking at her and was wondering what was going on. this girl was NOT a good girl, she was the one who decided to have parties with beer and alchohol. she had only guy friends pover and they all decided to get drunk and then play truth or dare. since guys are supposed to be manly, they would all choose dare and everyone else would make them kiss her and stuff and that is what started their liking for eachother. ( )

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 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. ( )