Some Kind of Happiness (Paperback)

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Some Kind of Happiness By Claire Legrand Cover Image
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Staff Reviews


If you judged this book by its cover, you might think it was a fairy retelling. The action takes place in the Everwood, an enchanted forest dreamed up by our heroine Finley, full of rowdy knights, rescue missions, and daring escapes. It's where she retreats on her increasingly frequent "blue days". This is a kid absolutely packed to the brim with secrets; confused and guilt-ridden and desperate to be happy. Turns out those traits run in the family. Finley's storytelling talents are interwoven with a very real depiction of childhood anxiety and depression. A compelling family mystery will pull readers quickly through this story of self-acceptance and learning to trust.

Emmy

Description


Reality and fantasy collide in this “beautiful and reflective tale” (Booklist, starred review) for fans of Counting by 7s and Bridge to Terabithia, about a girl who must save a magical make-believe world in order to save herself.

Things Finley Hart doesn’t want to talk about:
-Her parents, who are having problems. (But they pretend like they’re not.)
-Being sent to her grandparents’ house for the summer.
-Never having met said grandparents.
-Her blue days—when life feels overwhelming, and it’s hard to keep her head up. (This happens a lot.)

Finley’s only retreat is the Everwood, a forest kingdom that exists in the pages of her notebook. Until she discovers the endless woods behind her grandparents’ house and realizes the Everwood is real—and holds more mysteries than she’d ever imagined, including a family of pirates that she isn’t allowed to talk to, trees covered in ash, and a strange old wizard living in a house made of bones.

With the help of her cousins, Finley sets out on a mission to save the dying Everwood and uncover its secrets. But as the mysteries pile up and the frightening sadness inside her grows, Finley realizes that if she wants to save the Everwood, she’ll first have to save herself.

About the Author


Claire Legrand used to be a musician until she realized she couldn’t stop thinking about the stories in her head. Now Ms. Legrand is a full-time writer living in New Jersey. She has written two middle grade novels—The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls, one of the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing in 2012, and The Year of Shadows—as well as the young adult novel Winterspell. Visit her at Claire-Legrand.com and on Twitter @ClaireLegrand.

Praise For…


*Nominated by the Mystery Writers of America for the 2017 Edgar Award*

 

*"Legrand handles the tough subject of childhood mental health gently and honestly, and. . . . paints a realistic picture of a girl trying to figure out what’s wrong with her. Finley’s quest to uncover family secrets reveals not just what kept her father away from his relatives but how a family sticks together through good times and bad."
— Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

*"A quiet magic is at work in Legrand’s novel, in which she adeptly interweaves Fin’s imaginative writing with the real-life narrative, underpinning all with an appeal to honesty and self-acceptance. This beautiful and reflective tale carries echoes of Katherine Patterson’s The Bridge to Terabithia (1977) and will resonate with thoughtful readers who enjoy pondering life’s bigger questions."
— Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

"A multilayered plot, engaging characters, and more than one mystery highlight this ambitious novel. . . . Legrand successfully weaves it all into a rich, nuanced tale that culminates in a convincing and satisfying conclusion."
— School Library Journal

"Legrand has pulled off a difficult trick in this novel. She's constructeda story-within-a-story fairy tale that's utterly compelling but sounds asthough it was written by an 11-year-old girl. . . . A layered, thoughtful exploration."
— Kirkus Reviews

“Imagine if Wednesday Addams had written THE PRINCESS BRIDE and you’ve got some kind of idea of SOME KIND OF HAPPINESS — a dark and meditative fantasy written with Claire Legrand’s signature light touch.”
— Tim Federle, author of BETTER NATE THAN EVER

“Finley’s marvelous adventure will resonate with anyone who has battled a broken heart through the power of story. The courage she finds along the way will leave you cheering - and believing in magic - even in the darkest part of the woods.”
— Natalie Lloyd, author of A SNICKER OF MAGIC
Product Details
ISBN: 9781442466029
ISBN-10: 1442466022
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 16th, 2017
Pages: 400
Language: English