The Other Half of Happy

By Rebecca Balcárcel

Book Overview

★ "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

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1797213911
• ISBN13: 9781797213910
• Release Date: September 2021
• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Length: 340 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 13 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 8 to 12