The Other Half of Happy

★ “Balc?rcel’s well-rounded characters, complex friendships, and nuanced family dynamics will resonate with many readers. This is a title that will remain relevant long past its publication date. A must-have for all library collections.”
-School Library Journal, starred review

★ “A lovely, moving, and realistic view of the struggles and insecurities–as well as the beauty–that comes from being bicultural.”
-Booklist, starred reviewHandpicked by Amazon kids’ books editor, Seira Wilson, for Prime Book Box – a children’s subscription that inspires a love of reading.

This immersive, award-winning novel following the story of Quijana, a girl in pieces, is now available in paperback.

One-half Guatemalan, one-half American: When Quijana’s Guatemalan cousins move to town, her dad seems ashamed that she doesn’t know more about her family’s heritage.

One-half crush, one-half buddy: When Quijana meets Zuri and Jayden, she knows she’s found true friends. But she can’t help the growing feelings she has for Jayden.

One-half kid, one-half grown-up: Quijana spends her nights Skyping with her ailing grandma and trying to figure out what’s going on with her increasingly hard-to-reach brother.

Quijana must figure out which parts of herself are most important, and which pieces come together to make her whole.

This is a heartfelt poetic portrayal of a girl growing up, fitting in, and learning what it means to belong.

– Lyrical middle grade debut from author Rebecca Balc?rcel
– A diverse and family-centered story that resonates with anyone who remembers, or is going through, growing pains
– Inclusively embraces real life experiences with biracial, autistic, and gay characters
– 2020 Pura Belpr? Honor Book
– A Junior Library Guild Selection
– ALSC Notable Children’s Book
– 2020 Jean Flynn Award for Best Middle Grade Book
– 2020 Spirit of Texas Reading Program Recommended Title

Perfect for:

– Tweens and teens
– Bilingual and bicultural readers
– Parents
– Educators

Author: Rebecca Balcarcel
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Published: 09/14/2021
Pages: 340
Weight: 0.94lbs
Size: 8.00h x 5.60w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9781797213910
Language: English