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Happyface
Enter Happyface's journal and get a peek into the life of a shy, artistic boy who decides to reinvent himself as a happy-go-lucky guy after he moves to a new town. See the world through his hilariously self-deprecating eyes as he learns to shed his comic-book-loving, computer-game playing ways. Join him as he makes new friends, tries to hide from his past, and ultimately learns to face the world with a genuine smile. With a fresh and funny combination of text and fully integrated art, Happyface is an original storytelling experience.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2010
98 people are currently reading
3262 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Emond
13 books152 followersHello, my name is Stephen Emond, or just Steve if you prefer. There isn’t much about that me isn’t be said in this excerpt from the HAPPYFACE page on amazon.com:
About the Author
Steve Emond does not have any superhuman powers, neat tricks, or famous relatives, but he’s a pretty cool guy who can draw. He is the creator of Emo Boy, which ran for 12 issues and two collections, and the comic strip, Steverino. He grew up in Connecticut, where he wrote and directed a public access sketch comedy show that only his grandmother watched.
I’m pretty sure my editor on the book wrote this to mimic my sometimes self-deprecating manner because I don’t remember writing it myself.
Anyway, I’m a creator, I guess you can say. I focused solely on drawing in my youth, wanting to be a comics artist. Not so much the kind I became, I was more interested in superheroes. Starting with Spiderman, which led to the New Warriors, which led me to following Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee, the guys that wound up at Image. I was a huge Image fan until a girlfriend turned me on to indie comics, which read more like the things that went on in my head.
Another thing I drew, that fed into my later love of writing, was a comic strip called STEVERINO. I did STEVERINO from my senior year of highschool, and for about six years after. Even after that, I returned to the strip off and on, the last stretch in ‘06. You can read those comics by clicking the Steverino box at the top of Stephenemond.com. I think STEVERINO really helped me develop as both an artist and a writer. The comic strip is a great way to learn writing, because every strip has a beginning, middle and end to it. It’s short, but you learn a lot in what’s interesting and how to set up and close an idea. I did twenty-five page books every month, three cartoons per page, and sent them to never more than thirty people. I worked through a lot of my own neuroses in those years, but it was a lot of fun.
Feedback for Steverino was generally positive. I won a national contest, Andrew-McMeels/Follett College Store’s STRIP SEARCH: DISCOVERING TOMORROW’S TOP CARTOONISTS TODAY and had my comic printed in a book of the same name. I had three or four local newspaper articles and ongoing dialogues with a few syndicate editors. There wasn’t really any hook, though. It was just me and my thoughts. They liked the art, they liked the writing, they thought it was charming, but you couldn’t sell it.
Eventually I had the idea for EMO BOY, which was “what if this emo kid had superpowers, but they were completely destructive and he was too emo to use them anyway?” It was a joke at first but my girlfriend at the time urged me to go on with it. I did a mini comic, ashcan style – 8 1/2X11 pages folded down the middle and xeroxed. In it, Emo Boy joins a garage band, falls for a pretty girl, kisses her and explodes her head in a fit of emo-nerves. The band is ready to beat him down when he comes up with a hit emo song about the experience.
I sent the comic to SLG Publishing, because honestly, who the heck else would publish it? In the meantime, I had so much fun with it that I kept making the books. I did four more issues, without the emo powers, just as a comedy comic about an emo kid and his happy-go-lucky friend Maxine. About eight months after I mailed the book to SLG, I got an email from Dan Vado asking if I was still looking for a publisher. Indeed, I was! I sent him the new issues to show how the art and writing had improved, although Dan did recommend giving him the powers back, as it lent the series a feeling of suspense, not knowing what was going to happen next.
EMO BOY ran for twelve issues. It started strong, but as is the case with most indie comics, sales slipped to a point that it wasn’t cost-effective to continue printing each issue. I was left with the option to do it as a digital comic, or to do a series of graphic novels. I decided to take some time off.
Durin
About the Author
Steve Emond does not have any superhuman powers, neat tricks, or famous relatives, but he’s a pretty cool guy who can draw. He is the creator of Emo Boy, which ran for 12 issues and two collections, and the comic strip, Steverino. He grew up in Connecticut, where he wrote and directed a public access sketch comedy show that only his grandmother watched.
I’m pretty sure my editor on the book wrote this to mimic my sometimes self-deprecating manner because I don’t remember writing it myself.
Anyway, I’m a creator, I guess you can say. I focused solely on drawing in my youth, wanting to be a comics artist. Not so much the kind I became, I was more interested in superheroes. Starting with Spiderman, which led to the New Warriors, which led me to following Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee, the guys that wound up at Image. I was a huge Image fan until a girlfriend turned me on to indie comics, which read more like the things that went on in my head.
Another thing I drew, that fed into my later love of writing, was a comic strip called STEVERINO. I did STEVERINO from my senior year of highschool, and for about six years after. Even after that, I returned to the strip off and on, the last stretch in ‘06. You can read those comics by clicking the Steverino box at the top of Stephenemond.com. I think STEVERINO really helped me develop as both an artist and a writer. The comic strip is a great way to learn writing, because every strip has a beginning, middle and end to it. It’s short, but you learn a lot in what’s interesting and how to set up and close an idea. I did twenty-five page books every month, three cartoons per page, and sent them to never more than thirty people. I worked through a lot of my own neuroses in those years, but it was a lot of fun.
Feedback for Steverino was generally positive. I won a national contest, Andrew-McMeels/Follett College Store’s STRIP SEARCH: DISCOVERING TOMORROW’S TOP CARTOONISTS TODAY and had my comic printed in a book of the same name. I had three or four local newspaper articles and ongoing dialogues with a few syndicate editors. There wasn’t really any hook, though. It was just me and my thoughts. They liked the art, they liked the writing, they thought it was charming, but you couldn’t sell it.
Eventually I had the idea for EMO BOY, which was “what if this emo kid had superpowers, but they were completely destructive and he was too emo to use them anyway?” It was a joke at first but my girlfriend at the time urged me to go on with it. I did a mini comic, ashcan style – 8 1/2X11 pages folded down the middle and xeroxed. In it, Emo Boy joins a garage band, falls for a pretty girl, kisses her and explodes her head in a fit of emo-nerves. The band is ready to beat him down when he comes up with a hit emo song about the experience.
I sent the comic to SLG Publishing, because honestly, who the heck else would publish it? In the meantime, I had so much fun with it that I kept making the books. I did four more issues, without the emo powers, just as a comedy comic about an emo kid and his happy-go-lucky friend Maxine. About eight months after I mailed the book to SLG, I got an email from Dan Vado asking if I was still looking for a publisher. Indeed, I was! I sent him the new issues to show how the art and writing had improved, although Dan did recommend giving him the powers back, as it lent the series a feeling of suspense, not knowing what was going to happen next.
EMO BOY ran for twelve issues. It started strong, but as is the case with most indie comics, sales slipped to a point that it wasn’t cost-effective to continue printing each issue. I was left with the option to do it as a digital comic, or to do a series of graphic novels. I decided to take some time off.
Durin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 440 reviews
August 28, 2010
Original post at One More Page
The bright yellow cover called me the moment I entered the YA section of Fully Booked Eastwood. It was bright, and the smiley made an interesting cover, and when I took a peek inside, I saw that it was a book...with drawings!
But what really convinced me to buy is when I removed the half dust jacket and saw this:
This certainly got me very, very curious. How can a book entitled "Happyface" have a sad face inside?
Happyface is the journal of a boy who has been christened Happyface by the girl he likes because of his sense of humor and his happy demeanor. Happyface is a high school sophomore, and a shy, artistic kid who tries to reinvent himself when he moves to a new town. The journal contains the account of the school year, from June to March, as he tries to make friends, ask out the girl he liked and be the happy person that everyone expects him to be.
This isn't exactly a comic book, but it's also not a plain novel. I like reading journal-type novels because I like first person accounts, and I'm a journal keeper myself. The drawings in this book are fascinating and entertaining at the same time. Look:
I'm not big on graphics or photos in a novel -- I like words more. However, Happyface made me appreciate art (simple as they may be sometimes), and the images were not there just to be there, but they really add to the story. I can't draw to save my life, so I am immediately in awe of anyone who can draw something that is more than a stick figure. I do wonder sometimes how Happyface can have the time to draw and write -- writing is hard enough, but drawing them as well? Wow. Of course, again, I'm not an artist, and I can't draw, so I can't exactly say how hard or easy keeping a journal with art is. Perhaps someone can enlighten me?
Happyface may sound and look like a happy book, but I was surprised to find myself sighing and feeling really...well, sad, about Happyface. Like what the dust jacket and cover shows, there is more to Happyface than his smiley face. When I was in college, I used to call myself a sugarcoater. I remember telling my YFC household head to never ask me how I am once -- she needed to ask me twice (and sometimes even more) because I automatically answer "Fine" or "I'm okay" whenever they ask me how I am. Ever since then, people were careful to really ask me that, and conversations usually start like this:
It's a defense mechanism, I think. It's not that I'm never okay, or I lie at the first answer, but it's become such an instinct to just answer that I am okay, rather than explain why if I am not. Plus I always felt like if I open up and tell them exactly how I am, it's like I'm laying the burden on them. I figure I'd be of better help to them if I was okay, and I can listen to them better rather than give myself room to rant.
I'm happy to say that I am doing my best not to be that way anymore. Reading Happyface reminded me of those days, and I really empathized for Happyface in his plight. It's easy to think Happyface was just a shy, awkward kid who would rather spend time in front of the computer or at home with his comic books and sketch books. It's easier to think of that because I didn't think he's the kind of guy who has serious problems, because he was so cheerful all the time, even to himself, and this book was supposed to be his journal! But as the story went on, we find out what happened to Happyface and his family, why he moved in the first place and how he really, really felt (with some help from alcohol). It's sad, almost heartbreaking, and now I really understand the presence of the sad face.
Happyface is the dorky boy in school who you would never have a crush on, but would be really good friends with. He's the guy who'd draw stuff for you, join you in shopping and hand you a Christmas gift that he made himself, looking all awkward and blushing. He's the guy you will call when you're dating someone and you need someone to encourage you or tell you that everything will work out -- heck, he may even help you work things out with the guy. Happyface is the guy who is secretly in love with you, and you may never ever know because he's too shy to tell you about it.
Altogether now: awwwww. :(
I also love how refreshing a male point of view is in contemporary YA fiction. I am a girl and I appreciate it if I read a girl's story about life or love or whatever...but let's face it girls: we can be too whiny and we over think a lot. Happyface's voice is refreshing and funny, and it's a relief to read that guys can be awkward and dorky yet be totally sweet all at the same time.
Happyface is a fun yet painfully honest journal, not about self discovery, but realizing that everyone of us hides behind our own happy faces. It may not be like how Happyface hides behind his smiles -- we may hide behind what we wear, what we eat, what we do, who we date, how we act, but we all hide something, that we are afraid of others to see. Happyface the novel and the character teaches us that it's okay to (and I quote) "...allow myself to cry or sit by myself when I need to...and find things to really smile about..." after.
I recommend this book to anyone who's loved The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, or, if you haven't read that yet, those who can appreciate a good, non-paranormal YA story. My friend Aaron says this sounds similar to what John Green writes, and that I have yet to find out. I'm pretty sure girls will like this book (who doesn't like reading about sensitive, awkward and geeky guys? :P), but I'd recommend this book more to guys who may have been a Happyface at one point in their life.
Oh, and my favorite part of Happyface? This drawing. I really think I look like her when I don't dry my hair properly and when I wear my glasses. What do you think? :)
The bright yellow cover called me the moment I entered the YA section of Fully Booked Eastwood. It was bright, and the smiley made an interesting cover, and when I took a peek inside, I saw that it was a book...with drawings!
But what really convinced me to buy is when I removed the half dust jacket and saw this:
This certainly got me very, very curious. How can a book entitled "Happyface" have a sad face inside?
Happyface is the journal of a boy who has been christened Happyface by the girl he likes because of his sense of humor and his happy demeanor. Happyface is a high school sophomore, and a shy, artistic kid who tries to reinvent himself when he moves to a new town. The journal contains the account of the school year, from June to March, as he tries to make friends, ask out the girl he liked and be the happy person that everyone expects him to be.
This isn't exactly a comic book, but it's also not a plain novel. I like reading journal-type novels because I like first person accounts, and I'm a journal keeper myself. The drawings in this book are fascinating and entertaining at the same time. Look:
I'm not big on graphics or photos in a novel -- I like words more. However, Happyface made me appreciate art (simple as they may be sometimes), and the images were not there just to be there, but they really add to the story. I can't draw to save my life, so I am immediately in awe of anyone who can draw something that is more than a stick figure. I do wonder sometimes how Happyface can have the time to draw and write -- writing is hard enough, but drawing them as well? Wow. Of course, again, I'm not an artist, and I can't draw, so I can't exactly say how hard or easy keeping a journal with art is. Perhaps someone can enlighten me?
Happyface may sound and look like a happy book, but I was surprised to find myself sighing and feeling really...well, sad, about Happyface. Like what the dust jacket and cover shows, there is more to Happyface than his smiley face. When I was in college, I used to call myself a sugarcoater. I remember telling my YFC household head to never ask me how I am once -- she needed to ask me twice (and sometimes even more) because I automatically answer "Fine" or "I'm okay" whenever they ask me how I am. Ever since then, people were careful to really ask me that, and conversations usually start like this:
Friend: Hi Tinamats! How are you?
Me: Hi! I'm okay.
Friend: (pauses) Okay. Again. How are you?
Me: (take a deep breath and tries to answer the question again)
It's a defense mechanism, I think. It's not that I'm never okay, or I lie at the first answer, but it's become such an instinct to just answer that I am okay, rather than explain why if I am not. Plus I always felt like if I open up and tell them exactly how I am, it's like I'm laying the burden on them. I figure I'd be of better help to them if I was okay, and I can listen to them better rather than give myself room to rant.
I'm happy to say that I am doing my best not to be that way anymore. Reading Happyface reminded me of those days, and I really empathized for Happyface in his plight. It's easy to think Happyface was just a shy, awkward kid who would rather spend time in front of the computer or at home with his comic books and sketch books. It's easier to think of that because I didn't think he's the kind of guy who has serious problems, because he was so cheerful all the time, even to himself, and this book was supposed to be his journal! But as the story went on, we find out what happened to Happyface and his family, why he moved in the first place and how he really, really felt (with some help from alcohol). It's sad, almost heartbreaking, and now I really understand the presence of the sad face.
Happyface is the dorky boy in school who you would never have a crush on, but would be really good friends with. He's the guy who'd draw stuff for you, join you in shopping and hand you a Christmas gift that he made himself, looking all awkward and blushing. He's the guy you will call when you're dating someone and you need someone to encourage you or tell you that everything will work out -- heck, he may even help you work things out with the guy. Happyface is the guy who is secretly in love with you, and you may never ever know because he's too shy to tell you about it.
Altogether now: awwwww. :(
I also love how refreshing a male point of view is in contemporary YA fiction. I am a girl and I appreciate it if I read a girl's story about life or love or whatever...but let's face it girls: we can be too whiny and we over think a lot. Happyface's voice is refreshing and funny, and it's a relief to read that guys can be awkward and dorky yet be totally sweet all at the same time.
Happyface is a fun yet painfully honest journal, not about self discovery, but realizing that everyone of us hides behind our own happy faces. It may not be like how Happyface hides behind his smiles -- we may hide behind what we wear, what we eat, what we do, who we date, how we act, but we all hide something, that we are afraid of others to see. Happyface the novel and the character teaches us that it's okay to (and I quote) "...allow myself to cry or sit by myself when I need to...and find things to really smile about..." after.
I recommend this book to anyone who's loved The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, or, if you haven't read that yet, those who can appreciate a good, non-paranormal YA story. My friend Aaron says this sounds similar to what John Green writes, and that I have yet to find out. I'm pretty sure girls will like this book (who doesn't like reading about sensitive, awkward and geeky guys? :P), but I'd recommend this book more to guys who may have been a Happyface at one point in their life.
Oh, and my favorite part of Happyface? This drawing. I really think I look like her when I don't dry my hair properly and when I wear my glasses. What do you think? :)
January 22, 2022
Solid 8 out of 10
Happyface is an interesting read. At surface level, this book is about a boy who was shy and quiet throughout his school life, and then when he goes to high school, he puts on a "Happyface" and becomes more sociable. There is a lot to unpack in this book.
Happyface is physically painful to read, not because it's cringe-worthy or boring, but because of how real it feels. This book doesn't hold back when it comes to the awkwardness of adolescence. Sometimes I could only read a few pages before putting this book down, because I truly felt for these characters, despite all the bad decisions being made.
You never learn the name of the main character. He is just referred to as Happyface. But despite this, all of these characters feel beyond real. I love all the watercolor-y drawings. This was a tough read, but this book was superb. Highly enjoyed. Definitely better than some of its contemporaries such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower, (or at least in my opinion).
Happyface is an interesting read. At surface level, this book is about a boy who was shy and quiet throughout his school life, and then when he goes to high school, he puts on a "Happyface" and becomes more sociable. There is a lot to unpack in this book.
Happyface is physically painful to read, not because it's cringe-worthy or boring, but because of how real it feels. This book doesn't hold back when it comes to the awkwardness of adolescence. Sometimes I could only read a few pages before putting this book down, because I truly felt for these characters, despite all the bad decisions being made.
You never learn the name of the main character. He is just referred to as Happyface. But despite this, all of these characters feel beyond real. I love all the watercolor-y drawings. This was a tough read, but this book was superb. Highly enjoyed. Definitely better than some of its contemporaries such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower, (or at least in my opinion).
March 5, 2016
Gray skies are gonna clear up, Put on a happy face
As a self-proclaimed Pollyanna, I will be the first to admit that I would want to punch you in the face if you said this to me. What the hell is wrong with a little rain? Huh? You can't be happy if it rains? Fuck you.
You can have your gangnum style and complain about never ever ever ever getting back together again and umm... okay, that's my extent of youth culture... you guys like furbies again, right?
Happy face is old school teen angst. There are no vampires or faeries or dystopian threats... hell... HIGH SCHOOL is a dystopian threat. It is the absolute clear definition of dystopia: "an imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives." Can't get much realer than this.
Brush off the clouds and cheer up, Put on a happy face.
Seriously. Fuck you.
Happy face is special in that it gives you the out. It tells you how to beat this. It's all right there in front of you. Believe it or not, the song has it right....
Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy,
It's not your style;
You'll look so good that you'll be glad
Ya' decide to smile!
....
See? I just told you. DO NOT BE YOURSELF. You will be ridiculed, you will get beat up, you will be lonely and want to die.
You see, I was this thing. I was a miserable a-loaded-gun-won't-set-you-free-so-you-say sixteen year old who wore my Undead t-shirt proudly and played my 1987 UK second issue 3-track 12" vinyl single, also including How Soon Is Now? & Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want, Billie Whitelaw image picture sleeve with light blue die cut and I was totally into IT. Where did it get me? Being spit on at Pep Rallys, my friend... do not follow my example.
So, I decided to stick out my noble chin... I decided to wipe off that 'full of doubt' look. I decided to... no offense to the hair colored challenged... go blonde. Literally. I got rid of the Siouxsie Sioux hair color and cut my bangs and found the bleach beat my hair into submission. I even went further.. I found saddle shoes and letterman sweaters and poodle skirts and listened to rockabilly and man DID I EVER SMILE. I slapped on that happy grin! And spread sunshine all over the place, goddammit. And guess what?
People actually bought it. They totally liked the new me. It depressed the hell out of me. Didn't they understand the mockery?
And then... I bought into it. I said, hell... if this is what it takes, then this is what I will be. And I bounced and I giggled and I hello kittied my way through my senior year.
So, I can relate with Happy Face. He gets it. If you are pathetic in your old life, then create a new one. Yes, eventually this will lead to some sort of dissociative identity disorder and you may need sleep hygiene therapy, but maybe by then you will be out of high school and finding a new "society characterized by human misery, as squalor, oppression, disease, and overcrowding."
We can only hope.
And if you're feeling cross and bitterish
Don't sit and whine
Think of banana split and licorice
And you'll feel fine
*jazz hands*
September 15, 2010
Also posted at Guy Gone Geek. (I cannot believe that I will also be writing that line! Yay!)
Despite being a loyal partisan of social networking sites where you can post about every single update of your life, I still do keep a journal. I’ve been keeping it for about 4 years now and it is still far from being halfway filled. I guess that shows how rare I write on it. Here’s my journal next to Happyface’s journal:
[Are reviews with photos the new in-thing here in Goodreads? Apparently, yes.]
I feel slightly embarrassed with that photo for my journal is a flyspeck compared to Happyface’s and just the mere act of placing it next to his is somehow a heinous crime. Happyface’s handwriting is computer font-like (of course it is, but let’s just assume that it is a real journal) while mine will require you to acquire the service of a symbologist to decipher it before you can read it. Reason number two is that he is truly blessed with the talent of art while I, however… er, let’s not talk about it. Above all, I don’t have a story as interesting and as complicated as Happyface’s. He has a story a lot of young people can relate to and learn from.
Happyface is a socially awkward guy who is secretly in love with his bombshell best friend and has a family that is slowly falling apart. Then ‘the day’ came when his world changed, things turn from being bad to utterly miserable. He and his mother moved into a different town and he found himself facing a chance for a new beginning. He reinvents himself, slapped a smile on his face and act like everything is cool. This facade works effectively at the start. He got a new and his first circle of friends, a handful of followers and a new girl best friend to drool for. His social well-being improved in vast proportions until the day came when his facade was revealed and he was forced to face the past he is trying to escape.
One drawback in journal-type of books is that it tends to reveal everything. Kudos to Stephen Emond for not falling that trap. ‘The day’ came leaving us with a faint idea of what really happened. It gave me a sense of mystery to the book and a new dimension to a seemingly simple plot.
Emond also gave Happyface, the guy, a damn honest voice, it’s as if you are reading an actual person’s journal. It is sincere and believable, it will make you feel that you were invading someone’s privacy. What Happyface can’t tell his friends, he tells us and by that, he will gain your sympathy.
They say that people who keeps diaries or journals are those who keeps a lot of things hidden. In Hapyface’s case, it is true, but it’s natural after that horrible thing that happened to him. He tried to protect himself by locking way his real self inaccessible to people and creating this happy person that he will present to them. He slowly become this make-believe person just in time when he started to appreciate and accept his old self. Did he just left that happy persona and started being his old and real self again? No. it wasn’t that easy. It caused him yet another and unwelcome downfall. This time, I believe, he did the right thing as he tried and struggled to put back the shattered pieces together.
This gave him a chance to start again, not on a clean slate — he realized that we can never have another clean slate again, that our life isn’t just a piece of paper that whenever you did a mistake you can crumple, throw away and start on a new piece again — with his new friend, an old friend in his new life being the person he truly is.
Happyface, the book, is not just another awkward boy falling in love with a bombshell story. Behind those varying journal entries, humor and awe-inspiring artworks is an endearing tale of discovery and self-acceptance.
Despite being a loyal partisan of social networking sites where you can post about every single update of your life, I still do keep a journal. I’ve been keeping it for about 4 years now and it is still far from being halfway filled. I guess that shows how rare I write on it. Here’s my journal next to Happyface’s journal:
[Are reviews with photos the new in-thing here in Goodreads? Apparently, yes.]
I feel slightly embarrassed with that photo for my journal is a flyspeck compared to Happyface’s and just the mere act of placing it next to his is somehow a heinous crime. Happyface’s handwriting is computer font-like (of course it is, but let’s just assume that it is a real journal) while mine will require you to acquire the service of a symbologist to decipher it before you can read it. Reason number two is that he is truly blessed with the talent of art while I, however… er, let’s not talk about it. Above all, I don’t have a story as interesting and as complicated as Happyface’s. He has a story a lot of young people can relate to and learn from.
Happyface is a socially awkward guy who is secretly in love with his bombshell best friend and has a family that is slowly falling apart. Then ‘the day’ came when his world changed, things turn from being bad to utterly miserable. He and his mother moved into a different town and he found himself facing a chance for a new beginning. He reinvents himself, slapped a smile on his face and act like everything is cool. This facade works effectively at the start. He got a new and his first circle of friends, a handful of followers and a new girl best friend to drool for. His social well-being improved in vast proportions until the day came when his facade was revealed and he was forced to face the past he is trying to escape.
One drawback in journal-type of books is that it tends to reveal everything. Kudos to Stephen Emond for not falling that trap. ‘The day’ came leaving us with a faint idea of what really happened. It gave me a sense of mystery to the book and a new dimension to a seemingly simple plot.
Emond also gave Happyface, the guy, a damn honest voice, it’s as if you are reading an actual person’s journal. It is sincere and believable, it will make you feel that you were invading someone’s privacy. What Happyface can’t tell his friends, he tells us and by that, he will gain your sympathy.
They say that people who keeps diaries or journals are those who keeps a lot of things hidden. In Hapyface’s case, it is true, but it’s natural after that horrible thing that happened to him. He tried to protect himself by locking way his real self inaccessible to people and creating this happy person that he will present to them. He slowly become this make-believe person just in time when he started to appreciate and accept his old self. Did he just left that happy persona and started being his old and real self again? No. it wasn’t that easy. It caused him yet another and unwelcome downfall. This time, I believe, he did the right thing as he tried and struggled to put back the shattered pieces together.
This gave him a chance to start again, not on a clean slate — he realized that we can never have another clean slate again, that our life isn’t just a piece of paper that whenever you did a mistake you can crumple, throw away and start on a new piece again — with his new friend, an old friend in his new life being the person he truly is.
Happyface, the book, is not just another awkward boy falling in love with a bombshell story. Behind those varying journal entries, humor and awe-inspiring artworks is an endearing tale of discovery and self-acceptance.
Read
November 17, 2017Happyface is a great book. It is a chill and fast read. It relates to my life and many ways. I think other people will also relate to this book. The storyline is great in this book. It may seem random at times, but the book is a written in like a diary form. With this gist of the entries and the text with the stories, it is a great read!
-Tyler S
-Tyler S
December 15, 2010
This is the diary of Happyface, a not-so-happy-as-everyone-thinks-he-is teenager. In the beginning he’s kind of quiet and awkward and spends most of his time with his sketchbook, drawing the world and his best friend Chloe (who is smart, beautiful, and unobtainable). Everything changes when Happyface’s parents split up and he and his mom end up living in a small apartment and Happyface goes to a new school. He has the chance to reinvent himself as someone else, and he starts right away – grinning all the time no matter how he’s feeling on the inside. This seems to work for him. Soon he’s got a whole circle of friends and other random people wanting to know him because he has this mystique of cool. He’s the class clown; he’s the life of the party. He’s…really in love with his friend Gretchen (who is smart, beautiful, and unobtainable – see a pattern here?). Even in his diary Happyface manages to keep a lot of his life a secret. Only gradually does it come out that Chloe (whom Happyface suddenly stops mentioning at all) went out with his older brother, Everett, behind Happyface’s back. And that they were in the car together when Everett crashed and died. And that Happyface’s dad had some kind of breakdown and wound up in rehab (for his alcoholism and counseling). And no one is really as happy as they pretend to be.
There are some really painful moments when Happyface scares everyone with his intensity. He just wants Gretchen to love him, and he doesn’t know what to do with all of his emotions. He’s bottled everything up – how he felt betrayed by Chloe and his brother, his feelings about his brother’s death, his parents’ divorce. Suddenly the world is crashing down around him and he can’t just deal with everything by smiling. It’s hard watch him transform into this fake version of himself, and hard to see him fall. The sketch diary format worked really well for this story – Stephen Emond is a talented artist and incorporates a lot of different styles of artwork to fit each scene’s particular mood. Wished Happyface had been a little less lovesick, though.
There are some really painful moments when Happyface scares everyone with his intensity. He just wants Gretchen to love him, and he doesn’t know what to do with all of his emotions. He’s bottled everything up – how he felt betrayed by Chloe and his brother, his feelings about his brother’s death, his parents’ divorce. Suddenly the world is crashing down around him and he can’t just deal with everything by smiling. It’s hard watch him transform into this fake version of himself, and hard to see him fall. The sketch diary format worked really well for this story – Stephen Emond is a talented artist and incorporates a lot of different styles of artwork to fit each scene’s particular mood. Wished Happyface had been a little less lovesick, though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2013
This book was a very depressing story about the darkness of high school and all its tragic problems. I feel like it made high school almost too dark and forgot to mention some really great moments that I'm sure the main character must have felt at least once in his entire four years at his school. I think that even in the toughest of times you can still find some like points about it, or else the reader is just reading some depressed kids thoughts and personally that makes for not the most interesting story. I'm the kind of person that when I read a book if its a dark/depressing conflict, there needs to be at least some attracting problem that makes me wanna just keep reading. I felt this story in particular lacked in having a reason for me to continue with it. All in all there were some really nice chapters though and some memorable lines that the author had written.
August 6, 2017
I have had so much luck and enjoyment reading Stephen Emond's books; I feel like he is a VERY underappreciated author. He writes really good, entertaining stories with funny content that, also, have that deep, 'punch in the gut' backstory(which I, believe, is equally executed; if not, better than a John Green book)
Plus, he does his own art for his book, and I always admire an author who puts 100%, and then some, in their work.
Plus, he does his own art for his book, and I always admire an author who puts 100%, and then some, in their work.
November 21, 2010
Originally posted atPINOYPETERPAN.
EVERYBODY NEEDS A HAPPYFACE SOMETIMES (A review of Happyface by Stephen Emond)
First, I wanna say thanks to Tina for letting me borrow this great book. ***hugz***
I’ve read Happyface just when I needed it most. It reminded me of three things: 1) that everybody could start anew. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to move on and leave the past behind. You could always put a clean slate in front of you. 2) Another is putting a smile on your face could really make a big difference. That even though you had a rough time at home, you could always smile at the office or at school and worry about it later. It’s just like letting the good vibe in because you could not face the whole day by thinking about the things that caused you to frown. 3) And finally, to not forget to put your game face on. I’m not saying that you need to pretend to be someone else but it is sometimes advisable to not let them know you thoroughly. Life is a game, and in a game you don’t let your opponents know what cards you hold or your plans.
I like how Emond makes the novel so graphic. The illustration makes it feels like somehow I’m reading comics without the balloons. The story is a bit typical but it has a sense of authenticity in it. It reaches the reader in a personal level because it was written in a way that the character was confiding to his journal. The story was also plausible because Emond didn’t make the situation so complicated that it could cross to the reader as something that could happen to anybody. I guess I could relate to it personally because me and Happyface got something in common when I was same age as he is in the novel, the journal with doodles and drawings in it and the smile. My Supervisor always tells me whenever she saw me frown or in a bad mood then immediately switched to smiling, “Smile, and the whole world smiles with you”. She told me that I remind her of that quote from Pancho Magalona (I don’t know who the effing guy is or where those quote came from but what the hell right?).
My Journal & Happyface
The front page of my Journal
This is how I draw myself in my Journal
A light read with a fun story and a great illustration to boot. I definitely recommend it to everyone. If you wanted to read something that reminds you of puppy love, of high school life, of happy times, of friends. Read this. ^_^
EVERYBODY NEEDS A HAPPYFACE SOMETIMES (A review of Happyface by Stephen Emond)
First, I wanna say thanks to Tina for letting me borrow this great book. ***hugz***
I’ve read Happyface just when I needed it most. It reminded me of three things: 1) that everybody could start anew. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to move on and leave the past behind. You could always put a clean slate in front of you. 2) Another is putting a smile on your face could really make a big difference. That even though you had a rough time at home, you could always smile at the office or at school and worry about it later. It’s just like letting the good vibe in because you could not face the whole day by thinking about the things that caused you to frown. 3) And finally, to not forget to put your game face on. I’m not saying that you need to pretend to be someone else but it is sometimes advisable to not let them know you thoroughly. Life is a game, and in a game you don’t let your opponents know what cards you hold or your plans.
I like how Emond makes the novel so graphic. The illustration makes it feels like somehow I’m reading comics without the balloons. The story is a bit typical but it has a sense of authenticity in it. It reaches the reader in a personal level because it was written in a way that the character was confiding to his journal. The story was also plausible because Emond didn’t make the situation so complicated that it could cross to the reader as something that could happen to anybody. I guess I could relate to it personally because me and Happyface got something in common when I was same age as he is in the novel, the journal with doodles and drawings in it and the smile. My Supervisor always tells me whenever she saw me frown or in a bad mood then immediately switched to smiling, “Smile, and the whole world smiles with you”. She told me that I remind her of that quote from Pancho Magalona (I don’t know who the effing guy is or where those quote came from but what the hell right?).
My Journal & Happyface
The front page of my Journal
This is how I draw myself in my Journal
A light read with a fun story and a great illustration to boot. I definitely recommend it to everyone. If you wanted to read something that reminds you of puppy love, of high school life, of happy times, of friends. Read this. ^_^
February 5, 2012
Turn those frowns upside down, and remember to just keep swimming, I mean smiling!
I was first attracted to Happyface when I saw the bright yellow cover calling my name from the library shelf. I was like a moth to a smiling, yellow flame. When I opened it up to take a peak inside, I was rather surprised.
The journal format is nothing new when it comes to a coming-of-age Young Adult novel but Happyface takes this format to an entirely new level, as our main character Happyface expresses his life in both art and text. Through sketches, cartoons, comic strips, and illustrations in various styles, Happyface tells a multi-medium story. This adds to the book in a way that it would just not be complete without it.
The font used throughout the journal for all of the text is something that takes a little getting used to. It's a little much when looking at a full page of this font, but paired along with the art and empty space it's pretty readable.
Now, our main character, nicknamed Happyface, is going through some major life changes. New town, new school, family issues, girl issues, I-Am-So-Lonely issues but decides with this new start he's going to start a project. The Happyface project, to just keep smiling, to improve himself, and to distract himself from his ever mounting personal problems by finally getting out there and making some friends, and maybe even getting a girlfriend.
Oh, Happyface, how to mend a broken heart.
There is a pretty wide range of characters, mainly focusing on the new friends Happyface meets at his new school. And right off the bat he has entered into a group of friends when he connects with Gretchen, the pretty, unattainable girl who quickly takes center stage. For the former outsider, Happyface is trying his best to adjust to his new postion. Throughout all of his changes, Happyface's writing feels very genuine. His problems are real, and he's trying his best to become someone, even if it's someone he isn't.
The book was pretty strong for me, a solid three stars, but I had some problems with the climax and resolution. It was handled decently but I had issues with the sudden changes in the characterization of the secondary characters, the weak conclusion, and the way that the possibility for a deeper message was kind of skimmed over.
Still, this is definitely something I would recommend, especially for male readers. It's rare to find a solid high-school story told from a male point of view that doesn't pander to it's audience. Overall, I really enjoyed the characters, the art, and the way the high-school experience is portrayed.
Hop over to my blog post on Reading Robyn for a look at some examples of the art inside the book.
I was first attracted to Happyface when I saw the bright yellow cover calling my name from the library shelf. I was like a moth to a smiling, yellow flame. When I opened it up to take a peak inside, I was rather surprised.
The journal format is nothing new when it comes to a coming-of-age Young Adult novel but Happyface takes this format to an entirely new level, as our main character Happyface expresses his life in both art and text. Through sketches, cartoons, comic strips, and illustrations in various styles, Happyface tells a multi-medium story. This adds to the book in a way that it would just not be complete without it.
The font used throughout the journal for all of the text is something that takes a little getting used to. It's a little much when looking at a full page of this font, but paired along with the art and empty space it's pretty readable.
Now, our main character, nicknamed Happyface, is going through some major life changes. New town, new school, family issues, girl issues, I-Am-So-Lonely issues but decides with this new start he's going to start a project. The Happyface project, to just keep smiling, to improve himself, and to distract himself from his ever mounting personal problems by finally getting out there and making some friends, and maybe even getting a girlfriend.
Oh, Happyface, how to mend a broken heart.
There is a pretty wide range of characters, mainly focusing on the new friends Happyface meets at his new school. And right off the bat he has entered into a group of friends when he connects with Gretchen, the pretty, unattainable girl who quickly takes center stage. For the former outsider, Happyface is trying his best to adjust to his new postion. Throughout all of his changes, Happyface's writing feels very genuine. His problems are real, and he's trying his best to become someone, even if it's someone he isn't.
The book was pretty strong for me, a solid three stars, but I had some problems with the climax and resolution. It was handled decently but I had issues with the sudden changes in the characterization of the secondary characters, the weak conclusion, and the way that the possibility for a deeper message was kind of skimmed over.
Still, this is definitely something I would recommend, especially for male readers. It's rare to find a solid high-school story told from a male point of view that doesn't pander to it's audience. Overall, I really enjoyed the characters, the art, and the way the high-school experience is portrayed.
Hop over to my blog post on Reading Robyn for a look at some examples of the art inside the book.
February 12, 2011
This book took me, beat me to a bloody emotional pulp, and left me on the side of the road.
Sometimes a book does that and it's great. Sometimes the book is Happyface and it's a really terrible time.
So our protagonist, known to us only as Happyface, moves with his mother away from his broken family into a different portion of the city after a family tragedy. He then treats everyone around him horribly, can't grasp the social cues necessary to fix the problem, and hits rock bottom. Without giving away the resolution (but this is a YA book, so...), things seem to spiral completely out of control and then the book resolves. And yeah.
I won't lie - a portion of my discomfort with this was my identification with Happyface from time to time. Not really pleasant. Thankfully, as terrible as I was to people once upon a time, I was never like this, and I think that's where the book ultimately failed for me - the consequences existed, but not in the way they should have in the long term. It's more of how one may perceive said consequences, and maybe that was the point, but that wasn't how it came across.
This had great potential, and it just didn't work at all for me.
Sometimes a book does that and it's great. Sometimes the book is Happyface and it's a really terrible time.
So our protagonist, known to us only as Happyface, moves with his mother away from his broken family into a different portion of the city after a family tragedy. He then treats everyone around him horribly, can't grasp the social cues necessary to fix the problem, and hits rock bottom. Without giving away the resolution (but this is a YA book, so...), things seem to spiral completely out of control and then the book resolves. And yeah.
I won't lie - a portion of my discomfort with this was my identification with Happyface from time to time. Not really pleasant. Thankfully, as terrible as I was to people once upon a time, I was never like this, and I think that's where the book ultimately failed for me - the consequences existed, but not in the way they should have in the long term. It's more of how one may perceive said consequences, and maybe that was the point, but that wasn't how it came across.
This had great potential, and it just didn't work at all for me.
January 15, 2012
actually my second time reading this book...and it was just as amazing as the first...even though you know what's coming...
there are a lot of different elements that come together so well to make this such a great book (the journal format, the doodles, etc)...but what i think is the strongest aspect is that the story is so real. it's not a hokey love story, there are no vampires or zombies, and the protagonist is horribly, horribly flawed. while not all of the readers can comprehend and connect with the exact tragedies that 'happyface' is dealing with, everyone can relate his method of coping. we have all, at some time or another, put on the happyface mask to gloss over what we are feeling on the inside...perhaps not only to hide our true feelings from others, but also ourselves. and just like 'happyface' we all come to learn that, eventually, the mask begins to crack.
there are a lot of different elements that come together so well to make this such a great book (the journal format, the doodles, etc)...but what i think is the strongest aspect is that the story is so real. it's not a hokey love story, there are no vampires or zombies, and the protagonist is horribly, horribly flawed. while not all of the readers can comprehend and connect with the exact tragedies that 'happyface' is dealing with, everyone can relate his method of coping. we have all, at some time or another, put on the happyface mask to gloss over what we are feeling on the inside...perhaps not only to hide our true feelings from others, but also ourselves. and just like 'happyface' we all come to learn that, eventually, the mask begins to crack.
March 5, 2012
Dern sexist, perverted yellow book. Perceptibly written by a male and if you check under the pages you’d see this smiling book is also male.
In any case, I squashed a gnat into page 131 and am leaving it there, all flat and juicy.
Just another “Oh woe is me” book.
NO ONE LIKES ME!
I’LL NEVER BE POPULAR!
BUT I WANT A GIRLFRIEND!
This teen-aged-boy cares about himself SO MUCH that it makes up for everyone else’s disinterest in him.
But I enjoyed the art. Without the art, this book would without-a-doubt be 1 astronomical star.
In any case, I squashed a gnat into page 131 and am leaving it there, all flat and juicy.
Just another “Oh woe is me” book.
NO ONE LIKES ME!
I’LL NEVER BE POPULAR!
BUT I WANT A GIRLFRIEND!
This teen-aged-boy cares about himself SO MUCH that it makes up for everyone else’s disinterest in him.
But I enjoyed the art. Without the art, this book would without-a-doubt be 1 astronomical star.
Read
June 2, 2019dnf @ 50% :/
Read
January 23, 2020I really liked this type of book because it showed the adventure of a regular boy surviving life. I also liked it because the way it was written. It included great pictures and descriptions. I love how the book also teaches its readers to not be ashamed of who they are and to just express themselves. At the end was my favorite part because he apologized to everyone and all was back to normal and everything was ok.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2019
The book Happyface by Stephen Emond was a very good/interesting book because of all the changes our main character was going through. I suggest this book for 7th-9th grade because the characters are around that age range. Our main character (unknown name) is not very popular at school and doesn't really have an friends. Then his parents get divorced and his mom and him move to a different house with a different school. Our main character took this as a chance for a fresh new start at his new school. It was his first day at his new high school. The first class he walks into he sees a pretty girl and he has to talk to her. He attempts to talk to her with a smile on his face the whole time. After his small conversation with her he gets the nickname Happyface. Happyface then becomes friends with this popular girl Gretchen. "Today is the day the world changed, and that is all I will say because I don't want to think of it again." Will Happyface become popular or will he become the lonely guy. Read the book to find out! :)
November 24, 2009
Happyface
Happyface
By Stephen Emond
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
# of Pages: 320
Age Rating: 14+
My Rating: 4 Stars
Synopsis:
Enter Happyface's journal and get a peek into the life of a shy, artistic boy who decides to reinvent himself as a happy-go-lucky guy after he moves to a new town. See the world through his hilariously self-deprecating eyes as he learns to shed his comic-book-loving, computer-game playing ways. Join him as he makes new friends, tries to hide from his past, and ultimately learns to face the world with a genuine smile. With a fresh and funny combination of text and fully integrated art, Happyface is an original storytelling experience.
Review:
I was not expecting Happyface to be like this. When I first got this book, I was going to wait to read this intill I was done with one other book but the drawing in the book just drew me in and I just had to read it to find out what happens next in the book and I finished reading it in one hour.
The book was very engaging ( that's why I couldn't put it down. :D) Happyface was character that I could kind of relate to a little, I could understand now he wanted to start over and become a new person, Happyface.
I really like how the author rewrote this so that the plot was fresh.( I can say a whole list of books who's plot are a girl/boy's mom & dad fight together and they move to a new house and they have to go to a new school.)
It was kind of heavy but Happyface wry, honest perspective help makes it lighter, it was just like as if you were reading a real journal written by a real person.
I really enjoy this book but it's not my top-favorite go-read-now book. Boys will enjoy reading this book because it is told from a boy's perspective but girls will enjoy this too.
I give it 4 stars.
Enjoy! :D:D:D
Happyface
By Stephen Emond
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
# of Pages: 320
Age Rating: 14+
My Rating: 4 Stars
Synopsis:
Enter Happyface's journal and get a peek into the life of a shy, artistic boy who decides to reinvent himself as a happy-go-lucky guy after he moves to a new town. See the world through his hilariously self-deprecating eyes as he learns to shed his comic-book-loving, computer-game playing ways. Join him as he makes new friends, tries to hide from his past, and ultimately learns to face the world with a genuine smile. With a fresh and funny combination of text and fully integrated art, Happyface is an original storytelling experience.
Review:
I was not expecting Happyface to be like this. When I first got this book, I was going to wait to read this intill I was done with one other book but the drawing in the book just drew me in and I just had to read it to find out what happens next in the book and I finished reading it in one hour.
The book was very engaging ( that's why I couldn't put it down. :D) Happyface was character that I could kind of relate to a little, I could understand now he wanted to start over and become a new person, Happyface.
I really like how the author rewrote this so that the plot was fresh.( I can say a whole list of books who's plot are a girl/boy's mom & dad fight together and they move to a new house and they have to go to a new school.)
It was kind of heavy but Happyface wry, honest perspective help makes it lighter, it was just like as if you were reading a real journal written by a real person.
I really enjoy this book but it's not my top-favorite go-read-now book. Boys will enjoy reading this book because it is told from a boy's perspective but girls will enjoy this too.
I give it 4 stars.
Enjoy! :D:D:D
March 27, 2017
Personal Response: The book overall as just a book was great and better than the previous series I read called The Black Book. I believe an anti-social boy becoming the well known happyface for all is amazing. It proves people change for the better.
Plot Summary: A 15 year old boy is antisocial and has trouble communicating with others. He normally sits alone at lunch, gets good grades, and writes. This boy's parents are complete opposites. His dad is a smart author and his mom is a party girl drunk. This boy was always so much by himself until he met a girl named Chloe. This girl was very good looking, but never acted like she was. She also was extremely popular, but she never dated. Chloe and the boy started become very good friends until she started dating the boy's brother. Chloe and his brother Everett got drunk and Everett died in a car crash. Then the boys parents got a divorce. He had to then move a few towns over with his mom. At this new school he met a few friends, but became known as Happyface for smiling so much. Happyface always smiled even when sad, hiding his identity of being antisocial and a complete loser. Happyface found out that the girl that called him Happyface was named Gretchen, a girl in his study hall whom he talked to on his first day. After finding out that every guy in the whole school failed to date her he decided he would have to try. Happyface and Gretchen had so many adventures throughout the book. That is the story of Happyface.
Character Analysis:
Happyface: Was known as the boy, a kid of no name or passion. Became Happyface, a kid of many friends and social life.
Gretchen: A girl of teasing ones whom are not to tease. Became the best friend of a loser.
Recommendation: I would rate this book 4 of 5 stars all in all and would recommend this book to someone who can withstand a book of bi polar nature. A book that turns sadness into happiness.
Plot Summary: A 15 year old boy is antisocial and has trouble communicating with others. He normally sits alone at lunch, gets good grades, and writes. This boy's parents are complete opposites. His dad is a smart author and his mom is a party girl drunk. This boy was always so much by himself until he met a girl named Chloe. This girl was very good looking, but never acted like she was. She also was extremely popular, but she never dated. Chloe and the boy started become very good friends until she started dating the boy's brother. Chloe and his brother Everett got drunk and Everett died in a car crash. Then the boys parents got a divorce. He had to then move a few towns over with his mom. At this new school he met a few friends, but became known as Happyface for smiling so much. Happyface always smiled even when sad, hiding his identity of being antisocial and a complete loser. Happyface found out that the girl that called him Happyface was named Gretchen, a girl in his study hall whom he talked to on his first day. After finding out that every guy in the whole school failed to date her he decided he would have to try. Happyface and Gretchen had so many adventures throughout the book. That is the story of Happyface.
Character Analysis:
Happyface: Was known as the boy, a kid of no name or passion. Became Happyface, a kid of many friends and social life.
Gretchen: A girl of teasing ones whom are not to tease. Became the best friend of a loser.
Recommendation: I would rate this book 4 of 5 stars all in all and would recommend this book to someone who can withstand a book of bi polar nature. A book that turns sadness into happiness.
March 27, 2018
Happyface is a nickname a boy got when he moved schools. The reason he moved schools was because of his parents divorce and of many other reasons. At his old school, he wasn't very popular, and drew and wrote in his notebook alone at lunch. He met this girl named Chloe, who was very popular and had many friends. Him and her became best friends, but things didn't end up well with them. So when he moved schools, he stopped answering her emails and calls and tried to completely forget about her. At his new school, he met many new friends. Including a girl named Gretchen. He fell completely in love with her, and it was hard for him because she was friends with many guys and it was hard for him to not embarrass himself trying to act better than them all. He hides his past about his father whos a writer and drinks, his brother, and his home life with his mom. He hides this because he wants to be known as the fun and happy person, not known as the guys who's parents divorced or boy whos dad is a writer. His friends start uncovering his secrets and hes struggling harder and harder to stay known as "Happyface". I love this book so much, I originally picked it out because it had drawings and made the book look more fun. As I first read it, the beginning already pulled me in and I actually would look forward to reading time. I think the author was trying to write as close as he can to a teenagers life, and they did an amazing job. The book was so entertaining and there wasnt any dull or extra boring parts that were added in. When something sad or bad happened to the main character I would feel down, and I felt bad because the author made it seem like an actual teenagers life going thrrough these things. It made me sad thinking some people have to go through those problems. This book is something I would defiantly read again, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes drama and sad books.
June 23, 2018
My first impression of this book was slight disappointment. I hadn't expected it to be in journal form and found the main character to be painfully self pitying. However a running theme in this story is that first impressions are not always correct, and thankfully I enjoyed my reading experience more as it continued.
The journal truly felt as if it was written by a real teenager. Both the art and writing varied in tone, and was used for different purposes that ranged from letting out emotions to simply documenting everyday details.
I'm not sure how much the average person can relate to Happyface, but I could definitely see myself in pieces of his personality and family situation. None of those pieces were flattering, but even when I was irritated with the character I could sympathize with him.
I wouldn't say this book was especially profound and some of the pacing did feel awkward, but it was engaging enough that I was able to finish it in only a few hours.
The journal truly felt as if it was written by a real teenager. Both the art and writing varied in tone, and was used for different purposes that ranged from letting out emotions to simply documenting everyday details.
I'm not sure how much the average person can relate to Happyface, but I could definitely see myself in pieces of his personality and family situation. None of those pieces were flattering, but even when I was irritated with the character I could sympathize with him.
I wouldn't say this book was especially profound and some of the pacing did feel awkward, but it was engaging enough that I was able to finish it in only a few hours.
August 5, 2017
This was a cute read, although very predictable. I didn't find anything so "original". I've read this type of story plenty of times before. Also, Happyface's attitude towards Gretchen near the end there was a no-no.
Nevertheless, I didn't hate the book and it kept me entertained. The artwork is cool too.
Nevertheless, I didn't hate the book and it kept me entertained. The artwork is cool too.
November 1, 2018
I LOVED this book I could.n't put it down! I thought it this book was a book full of characters trying to be themselves and trying to find the importance in what they think is their life, and finding that their is more to life than just themselves but also that letting other people know themselves is a good thing to. READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!
January 24, 2024
I liked it because we are all Happyfaces sometimes.
October 11, 2018
I LOVE THIS BOOK. Amazing style, amazing images, and all around great story line. I Highly recommend it just because of how amazing it is. For reals, find it and read it.
September 20, 2025
read this for my 9th grade summer project and remember nothing about it except that i got tired of annotating and wrote a bunch of BS
May 15, 2025
this was mid
January 30, 2019
It’s a funny book, that contains some dark humor, but if you get over it, I think you could really enjoy this book!
October 3, 2013
Happyface is a book about a troubled boy. He is struggling to find out who he really is. His best friend is the prettiest girl in school, her name is Chloe, and he wants to ask her out but he thinks that he is too much of a nerd and he lacks a lot of confidence. They met because they were neighbors and they were just friends ever since. When he tries to ask her out, his family laughs out loud. His mom and dad are having marital issues and his brother, Everett, knows it. He seems kind of in the dark with the whole situation and he does not know whose side to take. When the marriage falls apart, he moves to a new town and has a fresh start. He goes with his mom to a new apartment. He decides to become Happyface, and always laugh and have a (fake) smile on for everything that he does. He now has a new crush named Gretchen and she is fooled. The only problem is that it is not who he really is. He comes to find out that living a lie is not a fun thing to do. Find out if Happyface survives this new life…
I thought that this was a very good book. It took me on a journey through the life of a teenager. This was definitely a coming of age story. It took me through the highs and the lows of moving to a new town and figuring out who he is. When he moved to the new town I thought that it was a scary transition because I have seen new kids get bullied. I could actually understand how a kid would want to change his whole personality in order to make friends. It has happened at school before and you can just tell that they are living a lie. I read this whole book in one weekend and that is because I got hooked on it. I could not stop reading because it was very interesting to read. I really liked the ending. After the book was finished everything that was confusing cleared up and I completely understood what had happened. I liked the beginning and how it was very detailed about how his life was going and what was troubling him.
This book was worth reading because it was very interesting and relatable. This was about a teenage boy so it was right up my alley. I recommend this book to teenagers and people who like to read about coming of age. My judgment on this book was that it could get a bit boring at some times and it was a bit too sappy for my tastes. There was a little bit too much romance and I kind of bored me at times. It is still a recommendation none the less because I did like this book because it was so relatable. Overall, I would recommend this book to everybody if they want to read a book about a young adult’s struggle in finding out who he really is.
I thought that this was a very good book. It took me on a journey through the life of a teenager. This was definitely a coming of age story. It took me through the highs and the lows of moving to a new town and figuring out who he is. When he moved to the new town I thought that it was a scary transition because I have seen new kids get bullied. I could actually understand how a kid would want to change his whole personality in order to make friends. It has happened at school before and you can just tell that they are living a lie. I read this whole book in one weekend and that is because I got hooked on it. I could not stop reading because it was very interesting to read. I really liked the ending. After the book was finished everything that was confusing cleared up and I completely understood what had happened. I liked the beginning and how it was very detailed about how his life was going and what was troubling him.
This book was worth reading because it was very interesting and relatable. This was about a teenage boy so it was right up my alley. I recommend this book to teenagers and people who like to read about coming of age. My judgment on this book was that it could get a bit boring at some times and it was a bit too sappy for my tastes. There was a little bit too much romance and I kind of bored me at times. It is still a recommendation none the less because I did like this book because it was so relatable. Overall, I would recommend this book to everybody if they want to read a book about a young adult’s struggle in finding out who he really is.
October 23, 2011
What if you had the chance to start over, to be a new person…would you? This is exactly what happens to Happyface, he’s given the opportunity to start anew and make a name for himself in a new school with new friends. It doesn’t come without consequence and what results is his very own journey into who he truly is. And, I loved it.
The new rage in story telling it seems is this journal mixed with art as is seen in books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Artsy Fartsy. I’m a huge fan when it’s done right and Happyface falls into that category easily for me. I might also add that in an environment where finding books for boys can be difficult I find that this is a welcome addition. Stephen Emond has done a fabulous job by creating a well written and interactive story, in which boys and girls will connect to if for no other reason than through the means by which his story is told.
Happyface’s story is one that many kids can relate to these days. Parents separated, troubles with siblings, difficult times with kids in school and a hard time with school in general. Without a doubt much of the world’s teenage population has dealt with one or more of these problems. In Happyface the main character (called by the name of “Happyface” throughout) is given a chance to start over, he begins as a new face – a happy face if you will – with new possibilities and he decides to make the most of the opportunity. I won’t ruin the story for you, but I will say this, as we all do – Happyface stumbles. Through his struggles, new friendships and old, Happyface will finally come to see who he truly is and who he values most in his life.
Happyface is a fresh new take on a reoccurring theme in many homes today and even those without the opportunity to ‘start over’ will learn a little bit about themselves. Be aware, it’s a story with heartache and reality that’s sometimes hard to take, but necessary for the story. You won’t regret picking this one up and it’s definitely a book teenagers will absolutely connect with.
Originally reviewed & copyrighted on my site, There's A Book.
The new rage in story telling it seems is this journal mixed with art as is seen in books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Artsy Fartsy. I’m a huge fan when it’s done right and Happyface falls into that category easily for me. I might also add that in an environment where finding books for boys can be difficult I find that this is a welcome addition. Stephen Emond has done a fabulous job by creating a well written and interactive story, in which boys and girls will connect to if for no other reason than through the means by which his story is told.
Happyface’s story is one that many kids can relate to these days. Parents separated, troubles with siblings, difficult times with kids in school and a hard time with school in general. Without a doubt much of the world’s teenage population has dealt with one or more of these problems. In Happyface the main character (called by the name of “Happyface” throughout) is given a chance to start over, he begins as a new face – a happy face if you will – with new possibilities and he decides to make the most of the opportunity. I won’t ruin the story for you, but I will say this, as we all do – Happyface stumbles. Through his struggles, new friendships and old, Happyface will finally come to see who he truly is and who he values most in his life.
Happyface is a fresh new take on a reoccurring theme in many homes today and even those without the opportunity to ‘start over’ will learn a little bit about themselves. Be aware, it’s a story with heartache and reality that’s sometimes hard to take, but necessary for the story. You won’t regret picking this one up and it’s definitely a book teenagers will absolutely connect with.
Originally reviewed & copyrighted on my site, There's A Book.
January 30, 2011
Doesn't quite make it to a 3, had to trudge through too much of it, BUT I can see some graphic novel fans taking to it as if it's a high school version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. And maybe it is, though, granted, with some more serious issues interspersed in those of typical high school nerd-dom. The tragedy of Happyface (is his real name Steve, Stephen?)seems to be only the separation of his parents, the loss of Chloe, the girl who was his best friend and who he wanted to be more, and having to move to a cruddy apartment and a new high school, but over time, it gradually becomes clear that the day his life changed involves more than those difficulties. No spoilers, though.
Moving gives him a chance to reinvent himself as Mr. Smiley Face--and that's how he draws himself in his new incarnation. He finds Gretchen, a lovely girl who despite her bookishness has had tons of boyfriends, is popular, and miracles of miracles, seems to like having him around, even dubbing him Happyface, a nickname that sticks and seems to become a command, a mission for him to smile through it all. He enjoys his new status, but eventually Happyface pushes Gretchen too hard for a commitment she can't make, and his old life bleeds into his new incarnation. He has to save his grades, placate his mother, and try to salvage what he can of the Happyface existence he cultivated.
Ultimately, this is a rites of passage story of identity and both typical and atypcial teen angst. The writer of the journal of sketches, comics, and journal entries that tells the story is becoming who he will be, understanding the failures of his parents, his brother, and the new friends he has made, as well as the old one he left behind--and most notably, of his own shortcomings.
The dust jacket is perfect: an overlay of a smile over a frown. Happyface is covering his sadness with a smile, a joke, a laugh--a rictus ultimately that can't save him from confronting his past. One of the teeth of that smiley face has to be knocked out, maybe symbolically tearing away the smile mask he had been wearing.
Moving gives him a chance to reinvent himself as Mr. Smiley Face--and that's how he draws himself in his new incarnation. He finds Gretchen, a lovely girl who despite her bookishness has had tons of boyfriends, is popular, and miracles of miracles, seems to like having him around, even dubbing him Happyface, a nickname that sticks and seems to become a command, a mission for him to smile through it all. He enjoys his new status, but eventually Happyface pushes Gretchen too hard for a commitment she can't make, and his old life bleeds into his new incarnation. He has to save his grades, placate his mother, and try to salvage what he can of the Happyface existence he cultivated.
Ultimately, this is a rites of passage story of identity and both typical and atypcial teen angst. The writer of the journal of sketches, comics, and journal entries that tells the story is becoming who he will be, understanding the failures of his parents, his brother, and the new friends he has made, as well as the old one he left behind--and most notably, of his own shortcomings.
The dust jacket is perfect: an overlay of a smile over a frown. Happyface is covering his sadness with a smile, a joke, a laugh--a rictus ultimately that can't save him from confronting his past. One of the teeth of that smiley face has to be knocked out, maybe symbolically tearing away the smile mask he had been wearing.
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