This Way to Happy

by Alison Green Myers

From Schneider Family Book Award Winner Alison Green Myers, a contemporary middle grade about a girl seeking her own joy amidst the enforced happiness of the amusement park where she lives with her family.

Reilly Rhoades lives on the grounds of the amusement park her grandparents founded. It’s called Rhoades Family Amusements, and its motto is “The H is for Happy!”

Shortly before the beginning of the book, Reilly’s extremely charismatic grandfather died suddenly, leaving Reilly’s grandmother, mother, and aunt to run the park and maintain the façade of family happiness.

Prretending to be happy, it turns out, is deeply unhappy work, especially in a town full of billboards featuring her dead grandfather's face. No wonder Reilly and her family start to come apart at the seams as soon as the park opens for the summer.

When Reilly is at her lowest, she meets Alex, a boy her age who’s a guest at the park with his family for “forced family fun” shortly after his mother remarries. Together, they discover what actually makes them feel content and how following the big signs that promise happiness doesn’t always lead where you want to be.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published September 23, 2025

About the author

Alison Green Myers is a passionate educator, novelist, and speaker. As the Program Director at the Highlights Foundation, Alison supports storytellers with fellowships and care throughout their careers. Alison is the author of the Schneider Family Award-winning A BIRD WILL SOAR and the Junior Library Guild noted THIS WAY TO HAPPY (Dutton/2025). A National Writing Project Fellow and teaching artist with Bethel Woods’ educational programs, Alison is always happy to spend time in the company of curious kids! Alison lives in the woods of Pennsylvania with two extraordinary humans and two dear dogs.

Reviews

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poignant story of a family attempting to keep their 53-year-old amusement park up and running. Told from the viewpoint of the owner’s young granddaughter, it’s a tale of family togetherness mixed with some squabbles. It’s a story about learning not to be ashamed to ask for help, when it is offered by caring friends. And lastly, it’s about realizing one shouldn’t completely lose sight of one’s own dreams while helping someone else reach theirs…

* I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when your grandfather and grandmother own an amusement park? Well, you help out of course. It is a family run park, and if you are Reilly Rhoades, you work there every season, because that is what you do. If your grandmother is making candied apples, you help with that.

And so that is Reilly’s life, until her grandfather dies while trying to figure out how to get people across a river. If you are going to say build a bridge, you are not thinking far enough. But, the show must go on, so to speak, and they open the park, but then her grandmother has a heart attack.

This is the story about a place that is supposed to be happy. Where the slogan is “find your happy” and yet Reilly is not happy. She misses her grandfather, and she is worried about her grandmother…and her aunt…and her cousin…and her mother.

This was a great story. I thought it was going to be about an amusement park, and it was, but it was also about friendships, and learning to let some things go, and to take one day at a time.

What I really liked was the description of how you go from very low when you first are admitted to the hospital, and how you can excel from there in rehab, as I saw my partner do.

Fun book. Quirky too. Very enjoyable.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out the 23rd of September 2025

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed this book! We all struggle to find happiness in its various forms, and This Way to Happy delivers thoughtfully and artfully.

Written for a middle grade audience, I found it appropriate for almost all ages. Exploring the life of Reilly Rhoades, a young girl whose family owns and operates an amusement park, the book tackles topics like grief, love, addiction and chosen family beautifully. The author, Alison Green Myers, has a way of subtly addressing these important subjects while encouraging the reader to find their own interpretations and spark conversations that will really get a middle grade student reflecting and forming their own belief systems.

I am already reading it for a second time, and I also loved her other book, A Bird Will Soar. I highly recommend both books!

[Tiffany Painter · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best middle grade books I’ve read. Seeing how Reilly Rhoades figures out how to find happy after so many changes is as much fun as living at an amusement park.

[Lianna Kendig · Rating 1 out of 5]

10/100 or 0.5 stars

I feel bad about this review, but not all books are five stars and I am given ARCs in exchange for honest reviews. If I wasn't reading an ARC and had to finish this, I would have stopped reading pretty early on. The writing, characters, world building, and atmosphere are severely lacking. The repetition in phrases throughout were driving me crazy. "Find your happy," "100% family made," Happy H points," and "epic" were used so much it probably took up multiple pages alone. Even the dog in the book, Wolfie, had no personality or offered anything to the story. I am obsessed with dogs, so that is saying quite a bit. It was one of the most boring books I have read in a very long time. I have read plenty of middle grade that was captivating and emotional. This had 0% of that. I do not think even the target audience will get much from this, which is why the rating is so low on top of everything else I metioned. The only redeeming part of this book is the cover, as the cover is pretty cute.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a fifth grade teacher, would I recommend my students read this book? Eh, no. I worked at an amusement park for ten years and so any time a setting of a novel is an amusement park my mind says SIGN ME UP! However, this book had a few weird moments that I could read one way, or another way. Without clarification, my guess is the author wants the reader to be able to decide the way they view these moments, rather than making a larger, more specific statement. Reading between the lines, I think the author wants you to “get it” though and for me, that ruined the story itself. Why can’t it just be a great story about a family owned business mixed with grief, change, and growing up? I am not one to reach for something that’s trying to morph into this new culture. My apologies for being “vague” on the moments that bothered me, but the author decided to be vague on how she wanted the reader to interpret these moments too.

NetGalley & Penguin Teen provided this digital ARC

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one hit me right in the heart.

This Way to Happy is a quiet, beautiful story about grief, healing, and learning how to feel safe again in your own body and the world around you. Haven, the main character, doesn’t speak—but her silence says so much. After something terrible happens, she goes to live with her aunt at an animal rescue, where—slowly, gently—she starts to rebuild. Not with big, dramatic changes, but with tiny moments of connection, comfort, and hope.

Alison Green Myers writes with such empathy. There’s no rushing Haven’s healing, no magical fix—just real, honest growth that feels true to what trauma recovery actually looks like. And the animals? They’re the best kind of side characters. This is one of those books where you feel every page.

If you’re a fan of Because of Winn-Dixie, you’ll absolutely want this one on your shelf. It’s tender and thoughtful, and exactly the kind of middle grade story that stays with you long after the last page.

[Kristen Strocchia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored Reilly and Alex's fast-formed yet deeply genuine connection. Every child should be fortunate to have a friendship like this in their life. More than that, each of the Rhoades family members are such real people that--from the moment they step onto the page--you can't help but feel their relationships to one another, to their shared history, and to the park and people all around them. A heartfelt reminder that families can be wonderfully imperfect.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Netgalley

Reilly Rhoades knows how much work her family's amusement park and campground are, especially since her recently deceased grandfather insisted that everything be homemade-- he even whittled the sticks for the candied apples himself! She watches as her grandmother spends hours in the park's apple refreshment stand, and as her mother and Aunt Caroline, along with park manager Barnett, struggle to keep the park afloat. Her cousin Nic is enthusiastic about their work, even stepping in to take the grandfather's place on the first opening day without him. When the grandmother collapses on the first day and needs a heart bypass, the aunt announces that they are closing because of rain, angering a lot of people. After a fight with Reilly's mother, Caroline takes Nic and leaves. As the rest of family rallies in order to keep the park running, Reilly runs into a boy her age from the campground, Alex, who is very enthusiastic and wants to help. He's struggling with living with his stepfather, mother, and baby half sister in a travel trailer, and pining for his father, who lives close by. Alex has few filters, and his incisive questions force Reilly to face some of the issues she has dealing with her grandfather's death. He had wanted to install a ski lift to transport campers to the park because the creek that needed to be crossed between the two properties is slippery, but the cost would have been difficult. Alex and Reilly find a way to build a bridge, even involving Alex's father, who works at a nearby lumber yard. The park survives, even though Grandma Jean's recovery will be long, and she doesn't want to come back to work, since she is enjoying her life of ease and socialization at the senior facility. Will Reilly be able to accept this new normal?
Strengths: Family dynamics can be very fraught, and while Reilly and Nic are the best of friends, their mothers are not. The concept of a "camp friend" for kids who live in amusement parks is interesting, as is Nic and Reilly's "job" of testing the rides each morning. The author notes that this is based on some personal experiences, which is evidenced by details like a diaper pitchfork in the pool of balls! Grandma Jean was my favorite, and I think she is justified in retiring, especially since the park was her husband's dream and not hers.
Weaknesses: A family run amusement park that has been in operation for 53 years is certainly going to face a lot of problems, but it would be nice if there were more happy amusement park details, like the ones in DeVillers' Meet Me at Wonderland.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed the sadder amusement park books like Jortner's 2023 101 Days of Lying About Lauren or Kear's 2020 Forever Land.

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

What worked:
The entire Rhoades family is still feeling grief following the grandfather’s death. The death was sudden and unexpected, and Reilly has constant, painful reminders as she moves about the fairgrounds. The grandparents have run the campground and fair for fifty years, and the family has been pitching in to keep things going. The grandmother is dedicated to honoring her husband, as highlighted by the painstaking care she takes while making handmade caramel apples. Her future happiness develops into an issue. Reilly’s mother works hard to support the grandmother’s efforts, but it creates feelings of animosity.
Reilly and Nic are cousins, and they’re almost inseparable. Readers are inside Reilly’s mind, as she’s taking her grandfather’s death especially hard. Nic encourages Reilly to help her cope with hard times, especially when their mothers begin feuding. However, Alex’s introduction infuses much-needed energy into the story. His character is a whirlwind of emotions and activity, and many of the other characters find it difficult to keep up. He inspires Reilly to overcome her fears and pursue her dreams, including one last project to honor her grandfather, “The next big thing”. “Stinking thinking” is a frequently used term for complaints and small ideas.
Alex also contributes humor and additional, serious emotions to the story. His parents are divorced, and he’s spending two weeks at the campground with his mom, her boyfriend, and a new baby sister. Alex complains about his sister’s stink and crying, and he becomes angry when the boyfriend acts like a dad. Alex resents that he can’t spend more time with his real dad, as they apparently have very similar personalities. His dad used to be in a band, and Alex frequently thinks of new band names as things happen in the story. He comes up with Epic Boredom and the Pooping Baby and then breaks into air guitar. Readers never know what to expect from him. He’s self-described as “Alex. Age twelve. Male. Older brother. Cat lover. S’mores hater… I talk a lot…”
What didn’t work as well:
The conflict between Reilly’s mom and her Aunt Caroline escalates very quickly. Her grandmother’s medical emergency ignites it, but readers may not be prepared for its intensity. Readers might expect Nic to have a larger role in the story, but she leaves early on with her mom.
The final verdict:
Emotions and feelings are significant elements in the plot, as characters navigate grief, anger, and uncertainty. Alex’s infusion of energy and humor balances the seriousness of the story. Overall, I recommend you try the book for yourself.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is opening day at the Rhoades Family Amusement Park, and everything is in place exactly as it should be. This is the first season without Grandpa, though, and twelve-year-old Reilly is feeling Grandpa’s absence particularly intensely. When Reilly’s grandma collapses unexpectedly, the fire simmering beneath the surface of the family comes to a head, and it is unclear whether the happiness the farm advertises can ever truly be found again. With the survival of her family’s joy hanging in the balance, Reilly finds a way to observe the world differently, and she discovers just the right opportunity to use her strengths to keep her grandfather’s legacy alive. This thoughtful middle grade novel investigates grief through the lens of one girl who is a part of a tight-knit yet fractured extended family unit. Descriptive language and dynamic dialogue make both the characters and the setting stand out throughout the story, inviting readers to the Rhoades family farm, themselves. The candy apples are almost tangible, and the emotions rippling through the Rhoades family members are recognizable, as well. Though not everyone reading this book will have a background running a community fairground, anyone who has ever lost a cherished loved one will find a point of connection with Reilly. Filled with rich, memorable characters and placed in a nostalgic American setting, this book is one that will charm and resonate with fans of realistic middle grade literature. It is a good addition to library collections for confident middle grade readers.

[Sails and Scales · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re expecting a book that takes place in an amusement park and has happy in the title to be happy all the time, you’re not going to get it with this. But if you want a book that talks about loss, friendship, and difficult family dynamics and how to try to find happiness through the complications of life, then this book will fit the bill.

The book has an interesting setting full of interesting characters who are all going through difficult things and don’t know how to handle it in the best way. The adult characters are just as flawed as the kids, and everyone’s going through stuff. I liked that the situations are complicated and don't necessarily have an easy fix. I particularly enjoyed Alex as a character who knows himself and complains about his family but loves him. I I would have found him very relatable at that age. I also liked the description of her grandmother in rehab and the age-appropriate introduction to that.

My biggest complaint is when it’s clear that the writer wanted readers to get certain messages. Some of the ideas were repeated way too much and too obviously to make sure that the reader picked up on the moral. I prefer when authors trust readers more to come up with their own conclusions.

Overall, it’s a cute book about family complications and finding ways to carry on when life changes.

[Sue Hodara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This middle grade novel takes readers on the roller coaster ride that has become Reilly Rhoades' life. And though she's the third generation of her family whose life revolves around working in the theme park her family owns, it's someone outside her family who helps Reilly navigate her the twist and turns of her ever-changing reality.

Myers does a great job of evoking that summer feeling with sensory details, but even more so with the willingness of many of the characters to let go and let loose (even briefly) -- whether it's riding a water ride that had previously felt so scary, rekindling a love of singing and performing to a rehab ward, or building a bridge with a new friend when relationships are sometimes hard.

Though grief is the catalyst for this book, there were many heartfelt, happy moments that readers are sure to find satisfying.

A great read!

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reilly’s family has owned an amusement park for over 50 years and with Grandpa gone now, her aunt thinks why own the park anymore. When it reopens for the season, Reilly thinks it doesn’t feel right without Grandpa, but Grandma makes it feel right. When Reilly and Nic find Grandma on the floor, the ambulance is called. Reilly keeps thinking of the signs in town about happiness being around the corner. She wonders if she’ll be able to find it. When they open the park the next day, Reilly makes a new friend, Alex, who is staying for a few weeks. He helps Reilly at the park, and she slowly realizes that even though someone isn’t there with you in your life, thinking about them helps.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Jennifer Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A​lison Green Myers demonstrates masterful character development while introducing complex themes with a subtlety that makes them accessible. I’m so impressed by how artfully this story is crafted​ and finished the book in a single afternoon. A few highlights that stood out and stayed with me include Alex’s energy, the unique amusement park setting, and the small touches that young readers will love, such as the ​u​nique chapter headings that make you want to keep reading (“Positivity Is Contagious,” “Several Plan Bs,” “French Fries for Breakfast”.)​ Very well done, and has my highest recommendation. Five Stars!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reilly Rhoades is not looking forward to the opening of her family’s amusement park since it will be the first year without her grandfather. When her grandmother lands in the hospital, her mom and her aunt have a huge fight and her aunt takes Reilly’s best friend and cousin Nic to visit Nic’s father. Now Reilly has no grandfather, no grandmother, and no Nic to help her get through the summer. While walking her dog by the creek that separates the amusement park from the adjacent campground, she meets Alex. With Alex’s help, Reilly takes on her grandfather’s last unfinished project. A story of resilience and friendship.

[Middle Grade Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

How can you not enjoy a book that takes place in an amusement park? I love that as Reilly and her family are grieving, they are able to still find happiness. I also enjoyed that they talked about how their grandpa believed in giving people second chances. There was a lot going on in this story, but it somehow worked for me. As they faced new unknowns, I felt like their reactions were very realistic.

There is one non-binary character and a conversation about pronouns.

ARC provided by Net galley. All opinions are my own.

[Natasha Khan Kazi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Way to Happy is a tender, beautifully written story about grief, healing, and hope. Haven, who doesn’t speak after something terrible happens, slowly begins to rebuild her life at her aunt’s animal rescue, through quiet moments of connection and care. Alison Green Myers writes with deep empathy, honoring the slow, honest process of recovery. Fans of Because of Winn-Dixie will find this story just as heartfelt and unforgettable.

[LS Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reilly is an integral part of a multi-generational amusement park that was the dream of her grandfather. As tragedies happen and changes occur, Reilly is forced to reconcile the treasured and expected dreams of her grandfather and those of everyone else in her family, even her own. The book wrapped up quickly and left room for a new book about Reilly and Alex.

[T Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the rhythmic beginning of assembly-line candied apple making to starting an unexpected friendship, this book teaches that we each have our own way to happiness.

A great choice for older elementary school and middle school students and teachers. Resilience and empathy are strong themes.