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Some Kind of Happiness

Claire Legrand (Goodreads Author)

4.30 · Rating details · 3,078 ratings · 661 reviews

THINGS FINLEY HART DOESN’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT

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

Finley’s only retreat is the Everwood, a forest kingdom that ...more

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Hardcover, 374 pages

Published May 17th 2016 by Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

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Middle Grade Novels of 2016

600 books — 984 voters

2017 Mock Newbery

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· 3,078 ratings · 661 reviews

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Sep 23, 2016 Katie Grace rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary, made-me-cry, 5-star

This book is all kinds of lovely, and everyone needs to read it.

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Feb 02, 2020 ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪SomeBunny Reads (Phoenix)•*¨*•♫♪ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020-favourites, kindle

“I feel like we are playing the Quiet Game. When you're tired of playing and want to shout out all the words you've been keeping inside you, but you absolutely cannot lose. So instead you sit, and bite down on everything screaming inside you, and wait.”

This is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about a child who suffers from depression, anxiety and panic attacks and struggles to communicate her feelings to others, so instead she finds refuge in an imaginary word of which she writes in her belo “I feel like we are playing the Quiet Game. When you're tired of playing and want to shout out all the words you've been keeping inside you, but you absolutely cannot lose. So instead you sit, and bite down on everything screaming inside you, and wait.”

This is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about a child who suffers from depression, anxiety and panic attacks and struggles to communicate her feelings to others, so instead she finds refuge in an imaginary word of which she writes in her beloved notebook. It's an encouraging tale of love, friendship and family; of a person's journey to accept and learn to love themselves and their own loved ones, still accepting that they are not - and nobody is, really - perfect.

Every family has one; some - like mine - have more than one: the silent child, the sensitive child, the artistic child; the one who doesn't speak much but listens to every word - even the ones which are not spoken. The one you can never lie to, or hide anything from, because they will find out and it will break their heart knowing that you were hiding from them. Why? Is it because they can't be trusted? Is it because there's something wrong with them? And what are they supposed to do with this information that they struggled so much to uncover, but that no one is willing to explain to them because "they will understand it when they get older"? Sometimes those kids grow up and slowly heal, fighting their own battle alone, and when they are adults they stop resenting their parents for the mistakes they made; others don't heal, some don't survive. That is why books like this one are so important: because, once and for all, adults have to understand this simple truth: mental illness is a thing, kids have it too, and there is nothing wrong with it. There is nothing to hide, to be ashamed of, to be scared of. There is, instead, much to talk about together, to make a kid feel safe, creating an environment in which he/she can open up and feel free to share his/her emotions.

That is why I think everybody should read this book: kids, because they will so understand that they are not alone, and adults so that they will understand that their children's struggle is real, and it has a name and that name is not a taboo, it's an illness and, like every other illness, has a cure and a doctor who can help. That is my favourite thing about this book: that the author specified how much of Finley's healing process came from talking to a professional. I wish everybody who was struggling with any kind of mental illness would have the possibility/will to seek professional help.

This story is beautiful, but even more beautiful is the message behind it. You are not alone. ❤ There is a way out. ❤ Be strong. ❤ Ask for help. ❤ Trust your loved ones. ❤ Be yourself. ❤ Live for today, because tomorrow is never known.❤ ...more

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May 24, 2017 Jeneca rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya, favorites, middle-grade, made-me-cry

This book made me cry. This book made me smile. This book made me hurt... this book... is not only incredibly powerful, but wonderfully written. Who even cares if it's "middle grade"
Pfft
It's so good.
I definitely don't agree with the a lot of the reasoning in this book... and I kept thinking "oh, oh, if you knew Jesus...!" But it's still such a lovely book. Go read it.

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Jan 20, 2015 Susana rated it liked it

Shelves: 2016-reads, 2016-releases, middle-grade

I've been undecided between giving this book three stars or just two: for one side, giving it two stars doesn't feel right, on the other, I don't think I'll ever read it again. But I think this was mostly a case of "it's not you book, it is me".
The main character is a precocious child of eleven, who is suffering from depression and anxiety among other things. But she doesn't have a name for that, and she doesn't know how to deal with it, so she creates this magical place to which she escapes ...more

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May 15, 2016 Katie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-read-in-2016-new, format-ebook, books-read-in-2016, how-library, favorites

Wow. I wish this existed when I was a kid. It's the most familiar depiction of depression I've ever read and made me sob more than once.

I ordered it in hardcover.

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Apr 13, 2016 Sandra rated it it was ok

Shelves: children-fiction, middle-grade, 2016, fantasy, 2-stars, netgalley

Mild spoilers ahead...

It makes me sad the way this story, with so much potential, was wasted. I liked many things about it: a main character who is a 10 years old girl who suffers from anxiety, depression and panic attacks (I loved the idea of introducing kids to this topic!); the fantastic stories she writes about the Everwood, and how these stories mix with reality; what means to be part of a family and how we fit or do not fit in it; Finley's struggles to accept her parents' divorce; honesty, ...more

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Dec 26, 2015 Caroline rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2016

first of all, thank you to Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read this wonderful and melancholy novel. I absolutely loved it.

full review is up here! ...more

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Jan 03, 2017 m a r y l i z rated it it was amazing

I knew this was going to be a very feelsy book, but I had no idea that it was going to be one of the most emotionally touching stories I've ever read. PLEASE EXCUSE ME WHILE I CRY IN A CORNER FOR 1,382 YEARS.

Okay, first off, THE CHARACTERS. This is one of the most important factors of a book for me, and gosh, did this author outdo herself with these charries. I just want to hug Finley forever and let her know it's okay. (And Jack...don't even get me started on Jack.)

Another thing that absolutel I knew this was going to be a very feelsy book, but I had no idea that it was going to be one of the most emotionally touching stories I've ever read. PLEASE EXCUSE ME WHILE I CRY IN A CORNER FOR 1,382 YEARS.

Okay, first off, THE CHARACTERS. This is one of the most important factors of a book for me, and gosh, did this author outdo herself with these charries. I just want to hug Finley forever and let her know it's okay. (And Jack...don't even get me started on Jack.)

Another thing that absolutely blew me out of the water was the writing. SERIOUSLY. It's absolutely brilliant, and I may or may not be in shock from it all. I never thought it would be possible for me to actually like first person present tense...but this book proved me wrong, and I love it for that.

Then there were the themes. Deep, powerful themes that punch you in the gut. The main character Finley struggles with anxiety and depression, and I felt so connected to her, even though I don't personally have either one. But this book's themes resonated in my heart. It tells you that it's okay to feel sad. And it's okay to ask people for help. Sometimes it's just easier to shove our problems under the door and pretend they don't exist. It's less painful that way. Less vulnerable. But hiding our problems doesn't make them go away. We have to realize that it's okay to experience sadness, and it's okay to not be the "perfect person."

As far as content is concerned, I was a bit surprised that there was actually a curse word used, as well as multiple uses of God's name in vain. It's labeled as a middle-grade book so I guess I wasn't expecting anything like that? (Though I guess most people think taking God's name in vain is acceptable in today's society. I personally don't believe that. *shrugs*) I have a really low tolerance for language, and I don't condone it all. Buuuuut I can't help loving this book anyway. So yes, there's a little bit of stuff that I could do without, but this book is absolutely amazing besides that. <3

Some Kind of Happiness made me sob. It touched me more than a book has in I-don't-know-how-long. And I'm so glad that it started off my year, reminding me that life is a beautiful thing: a blended painting of sadness and happiness. ...more

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Nov 04, 2016 Donalyn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2016-nerdy-book-club-awards, children-s-realistic-fiction

Beautiful book about families, secrets, and mental illness.

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Sep 28, 2018 Jazzy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

WHY WAS THAT SO AMAZING???? MY HEART AND MIND CANT COMPREHEND THE FEELS HOLY GUAC

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Mar 20, 2019 Lata rated it really liked it

Shelves: auth-f, kids-and-ya, x2019-read

Finley Hart is dropped off by her parents at her grandparents for the summer. This is the first she's ever met these people, and Finley is worried and anxious about this. She's also deeply worried and anxious because her parents are having difficulties, and want the summer to talk.
Finley meets not only her grandparents, but a slew of cousins and aunts. Finley isn't used to such a crowd of people, but soon finds herself making friends with first Gretchen, one of the cousins, and quickly the other ...more

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May 19, 2014 Carina Olsen rated it it was amazing

This book is beyond precious. I cannot believe it have already been three years since I first read it. And I am so happy I finally decided to read it a second time. Because this book was exactly what I needed right now. It's heartbreaking and fun and beyond adorable. I loved it to pieces, once more. It is simply perfection.

There is so much about this book that I love. I will try my best to share most of it, but not too much. If you have not read this one yet, you are truly missing out. As everyt ...more

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May 01, 2016 Karla Mae (Reads and Thoughts) rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2016-reads, owned-physical-books, arc-author-s-provided, cover-love-love, favorites, middle-grade, arc-physical

*ARC kindly provided by Claire Legrand - Author for review*

Some Kind of Happiness is my first experience on a Middle Grade (MG) book and I am happily surprised by how much this book made an impact on me. I love how the story was told - simple yet deep. The main topic was a direct shot to the heart. I love how refreshing it is to read a story told in the POV of a 10-year old girl.

The topic of depression and anxiety has been used by several books already. I have read my fair share of books dealing ...more

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Feb 17, 2019 Mission Blue rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites, english

If you are afraid, sad, tired, or lonely if you feel lost or strange if you crave stories and adventure, and the magic possibility of a forest path-this book is for you

That is probably the best way to sum up this book. Mental health issues mentioned in the book and its integration with the magical land of Everwood was probably one of my purely magical experiences in a fictional world.

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Aug 09, 2017 Lucille rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

This book. THIS BOOK. I wasn’t expecting to gain a new favourite when I started reading this. Of course when I buy a book I’m always hoping to love it, but this book moved me deeply and I found I couldn’t stop thinking about it. So here I am, writing a review on here so that more poeple can learn about it!
I had been meaning to read this book ever since it was published last year, mostly because the cover looks amazing, but what gave me the final push to buy a copy when it was released as a paper ...more

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Dec 30, 2019 Maureen rated it really liked it

This book is such a beautiful story of friendship, mental health, and how stories impact people. I loved Finley and especially her family and how they welcomed her with open arms my HEART.

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Nov 05, 2016 Beth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviewed

Wow. I finally have a book to get behind for this year's Newbery, and (considering Navigating Early) maybe even for this year's Printz. This is fantastic.

I've got two overarching reactions to this. The first is that this is throwback children's lit: it's a what-I-did-on-my-summer-vacation book. (That we have Enright and Lai and DeCamillo and now Legrand is testament to how much there is to be mined in these stories; this certainly isn't a denigration.) This is a family story, and it's warm and Wow. I finally have a book to get behind for this year's Newbery, and (considering Navigating Early) maybe even for this year's Printz. This is fantastic.

I've got two overarching reactions to this. The first is that this is throwback children's lit: it's a what-I-did-on-my-summer-vacation book. (That we have Enright and Lai and DeCamillo and now Legrand is testament to how much there is to be mined in these stories; this certainly isn't a denigration.) This is a family story, and it's warm and welcoming and loyal - and secretive and complicated. There are new friendships to be made and a wood to explore and make believe games to play. There are people more sincere than others, and people more open than others, and kids who are unique and simultaneously recognizable. (Side note: there are also a lot of artists.)

The vocabulary means that Finley reads as older than eleven, which made me think of the Printz first; I was pretty surprised to realize that this is shelved as J FIC - not because of any content, this book is great for juvenile readers - but because of the language, and frankly, because of the length. This might be three times the length of Raymie Nightingale.

The second reaction, almost inseparable from the story, is - to my mind, anyway - the inevitable comparison to We Were Liars. Massive spoilers: (view spoiler)

Part of me does wonder, cynically, if that makes this novel derivative. But it's so much better done that I don't care. This isn't just good stuff. It's the stuff librarians' dreams are made on. I'm almost upset this wasn't around when I was a kid.

And I'd like a YA novel about Avery now. ...more

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Dec 17, 2015 Holly rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: amazingly-wonderful, 2016, cover-love, inspirational, so-much-uniqueness, netgalley-edelweiss, feels-feels-everywhere, all-time-favorites, this-book-is-everything, trade-wishlist

*eARC kindly provided by Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing via NetGalley*

My Review!
I’m not a fan of the middle grade genre. The few MG novels I’ve read in the last few years or so didn’t go that well. I mean, I liked the stories and all, but beyond that… nothing. I can’t even really explain why, but I do think the age is a big reason that they don’t work for me. I either find them completely unbelievable, or I can’t stand the voice, or I feel like I’m reading a children’s book (which I AM *eARC kindly provided by Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing via NetGalley*

My Review!
I’m not a fan of the middle grade genre. The few MG novels I’ve read in the last few years or so didn’t go that well. I mean, I liked the stories and all, but beyond that… nothing. I can’t even really explain why, but I do think the age is a big reason that they don’t work for me. I either find them completely unbelievable, or I can’t stand the voice, or I feel like I’m reading a children’s book (which I AM, technically). So I’m wary of reading any of them. But when I first heard of Some Kind of Happiness, and saw that cover, I knew I had to have it. I’d heard it dealt with mental health, and also had a bit of magical realism spread throughout, and it sounded super unique. And it WAS so unique, and wonderful, and good, and it made me want to give the MG genre a second chance.

I loved this story so much. And I loved the main character, Finley, for all her faults and preciousness. This is a girl after my own heart. She is brave, and she is quiet, and she is stubborn. She is also imaginative and uses her words and her writing as an escape from the world. Whenever she needs it, the Everwood is there. Present, mysterious, and even a little dangerous. But that doesn’t stop Finley from loving it, or going into it at her grandparents’ house. But the Everwood is also her crux, the thing that she uses so she doesn’t have to think or feel or be honest. During Finley’s time at her grandparents’ this summer, she learns so much about herself and her family. Some of it, good. Some of it, not so good. But through it all, she stayed resilient, even though all she wanted to do was escape to the Everwood. The way that the author wrote Finley’s depression and anxiety was so refreshing and honest. And so, so genuine. Though I’m clearly not a preteen anymore, I could relate so well to Finley and what she was going through. I could understand her hesitation, her fear in opening up, her desire to make this darkness inside of her something that she can handle on her own. But she couldn’t, and I appreciated that TALKING about it and therapy was represented here. Not as much as I wish, but that’s okay, because by the end of this book, Finley was ready to try. To fight the darkness, to take care of herself physically AND mentally. But she’s not alone in this battle. She’ll never be alone again.

This story brought back memories for me, of my grandparents, my cousins, the way we played together when we were all in one place. Finley’s relationships with her family members warmed my heart right up and gave me all the feels. The fights, the arguments, the secrets, the need to be in each other’s business all of the time. None of it felt unimportant or irrelevant. It felt super realistic, for me. Because this is what families do. They may not understand you completely, and they may fight with you, but they’ll be there for you no matter what. (If you’re lucky like Finley and I, that is). And that’s something that Finley has always had with her mom and dad, but not so keenly as it she had it when she stayed with her grandparents for the summer. While she’s never known them before this summer, it doesn’t mean that she doesn’t love them or they her. As if Finley had been a part of them from birth, they welcomed her in and made her feel at home. They accepted her as she was. And I just absolutely loved the scenes between Fin and her cousins. Their make-believe stories, their quests into the Everwood, their desire to be together for days. It brought me back, to summers when I was a child, and the only care in the world was what my cousins and I wanted to do that day. And her mini road trips with her grandfather completely reminded me of the walks my grandpa and I used to take to the woods and back. So many moments in this book were very nostalgic and poignant for me, and I LOVED that. And I loved this family, even when I wanted to shake them for their secrets and lies and half-truths.

There was a component to this story that revolved around the mystery of this old, broken down house in the Everwood (aka the woods behind her grandparents’ house). Though I wasn’t AS thrilled with it as I wanted to be, I could understand why it was there and needed. It seemed to sort of ground Finley when she felt like she was drifting and apart from the others, when she was stuck in her very blue days. Her desire to understand what had happened to the family inside of that house pulled me in, and I just wanted to know what everyone was hiding. I was also intrigued by the Bailey boys, the ruffians that Finley is told to stay away from, but whose infectious and adventurous spirits lead her to disobeying her grandparents. They were a mystery too, and one that I gladly wanted to unravel. Jack and his brothers befriended the Hart kids, and they became a close-knit group that dared to run wild in the heat of the summer. It was a carefree and innocent game that turned into so much more, for all of them. And for Finley, it was a summer of discovery, honesty, and acceptance. Of being able to ask for help and say, “I need you.” Of putting her needs above those of others, because her mental health was more important than staying quiet. Of finding in herself a strength that she didn’t know she had. Her growth throughout this book made it that much more incredible. She was a brave young girl who just wanted to save her Everwood, and herself. And by the end, my heart was full to bursting with love for her as a character, and for this story.

I’m like ridiculously excited for this book to be out in the world. I think it’s an important read, and one that I would recommend to everyone, even those who aren’t generally fans of the MG genre. The positive mental health rep in this, and the careful and serious way in which it was brought about made me so happy. It showed such an honest (though not universal because everyone deals with MI in different ways) depiction of depression and anxiety, and how the two can intertwine. But it also said that it’s okay to have those blue days. That it’s okay to want to keep it locked inside. That it’s okay to not feel brave or strong. But it wants you to understand how important your health is, and how asking for help is not a sign of weakness. I seriously can’t wait for this book to find its way into people’s hands, especially those who will be able to relate to the main character. I hope this book reaches those who don't know, those who do and don't know what to do, and those who just need help talking about their mental health. Some Kind of Happiness was just INCREDIBLE.

Rating: 5 Paw Prints! ...more

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Jul 13, 2017 Abigayle Claire rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars

This book blew my mind. Finley was an amazing main character, and her entire "family life" dynamic was very, very real. From her parents who love her but not each other to her grandparents and cousins who are basically everyone's grandparents and cousins. SO well done!

I've never seen a book handle imagination and "darkness" so well, either. Cause Finley had both. Her stories are what keep her going when she curls up inside of herself and wants to hide from all the concerned adults. Ever ...more

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Mar 03, 2015 Lyn *GLITTER VIKING* rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, cover-lust, stand-alone, 2016, middle-grade, a-5-star, contemporary, mental-illness, author-love, tough-subject

This is a powerful, raw look at what it feels and looks like to have depression and/or anxiety when you do not have the words to describe it, or the clout with adults to explain that difference between moody and mentally unstable.

There was a lot that brought up some horrible feels of young Lyn struggling with her own anxiety. I wish I had a book like this when I was a elementary school. The side story of growing out of your comfort zone was entertaining and beautiful as well.

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Sep 01, 2017 Audrey (Warped Shelves) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: all-time-favorites

"UM HELLO YES THIS DESCRIPTION SOUNDS LIKE ALL THAT I WANT AND NEED TO READ PLEASE CAN THE BOOK LIVE UP TO WHAT IM ALREADY NEEDING?? PLZ N THX"

So now that I've read this insta-cover-love book, I can say that the above comment remains true. Some Kind of Happiness was everything I wanted and more in a book. It had mystery, adventure, unbreakable friendship, secrets, and SUPER realistic representation of mental illness. I really fell in love with Finley and her occasional flow of conscious thoughts ...more

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Jul 25, 2017 Cyndi rated it it was amazing

Finley is an eleven year old girl who is dealing with some tough stuff. Not only are her parents dropping her off with her grandparents for the summer, but she has never met them. Why? She wants to know why they don't have photos of her or their son, her dad around the house. And who are all these cousins, aunts and uncles?
Add to all that she has terrible blue days. The sadness overwhelms her although she doesn't think she has anything to be sad about. It has always been there. Even before her ...more

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May 07, 2020 lemon peel rated it it was amazing

Ok, so I normally don't write reviews, but this book deserves one.
It is incredibly beautiful and compelling. Even though the style is simple, it draws you in like no other; Legrand's way of expressing Finley's feelings is exquisite.
Regarding characters and plot... everything is so endearing! I don't usually cry with books - I don't get that invested into them - but this one had me crying, shouting... just *chef's kiss* an emotional roallercoaster and I was here for it!
Definetely recommend.

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May 14, 2017 Hann Remraf rated it really liked it

Shelves: i-own-it, 2017-reads, 4-stars, highly-recommend

one star taken off for the fact that Claire Legrand is not a Christian, and therefore I did not agree with a lot of her reasonings, or the solution to Finley's "darkness"

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Sep 26, 2016 Jen (Pop! Goes The Reader) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: middle-grade, favorites, realistic-fiction, contemporary, fantasy, read-in-2016

Did you find this review helpful? Find more of my reviews at Pop! Goes The Reader!

She is coming, whistled the Everwood winds.
She is coming, rustled the Everwood leaves.
“Who?” the creatures of the forest asked. “Who is coming?”
The little orphan girl, groaned the trees. She carries a great sadness inside her. We must put our hope in her nevertheless.
And the guardians stood at the edge of the wood and gazed into the sun, waiting.

Eleven-year-old Finley Hart has a secret. Two, actually. The first ...more

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Feb 25, 2016 Peach rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, 2016-releases, realistic-fiction, made-peach-cry, from-publisher, middle-grade, amazing-dads

I cried immensely over this.

One of my greatest fears is being in the next room, unknowingly, while my child is uncontrollably depressed. This is basically that book.

Finley Hart, a blonde eleven-year old with an active imagination, has never met her father's side of the family. The Harts. So when her parents hint at their upcoming divorce, and thus drop her off at her grandparents' house alone without much to grasp onto. Finley is surrounded by complete strangers. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandp I cried immensely over this.

One of my greatest fears is being in the next room, unknowingly, while my child is uncontrollably depressed. This is basically that book.

Finley Hart, a blonde eleven-year old with an active imagination, has never met her father's side of the family. The Harts. So when her parents hint at their upcoming divorce, and thus drop her off at her grandparents' house alone without much to grasp onto. Finley is surrounded by complete strangers. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents. While her "blue days" tend to hit unexpectedly and the hardest. She also carries around a notebook, which she fills with lists and fairytales.

In the company of her cousins, they explore the woods beyond the house. The Everwood. As children do, they play pirates and Finley deigns herself the queen. Eventually, they cross the Bailey boys, who live across the forest, and whom their family have fiercely warned them against. The Baileys boys, however, are enormously kind. But as Finley spends more time with them, she upends darker secrets about the Harts.

Okay, so here's my problem. I always hate in these stories like this, if one family member does something horrific, the whole family is off-limits. The Baileys' father drinks occasionally, but that's mostly it.

Also, Finley is looked at as a freak because she carries around a notebook and invents fairytales. (view spoiler) Honestly, it's something they should be praising. If your daughter/granddaughter/niece is a talented storyteller, that's fantastic. She might turn out to be a fantastic writer one day, and they were treating it like an illness.

I thought Finley's father was interesting. But in general, I wasn't crazy about Finley's parents. Her mother barely called her. Cried, whined, and seemed so fake. I so loved Avery. She was a Beatles fan! A painter! I found it interesting, especially as a teenager, she had no problem staying at her grandparents' house willingly, (view spoiler)

I was half-bummed by the ending. (view spoiler) Otherwise, this is undeniably a phenomenal, realistic, gut-wrenching depiction of mental illness and it's not worth missing. ...more

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Apr 15, 2019 karli rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, middle-grade

5/5 stars!

Claire Legrand? Disappointing me? Never!

This is definitely a new favorite for me! I loved this book from the first page to the last. I don't read a lot of MG anymore, but this is for sure how you do it.

I wish this book would have been out when I was younger, because I truly found myself in these pages. In Finely, in her family, and in the Everwood. The way mental health was talked about and shown in this story really connected to how I felt when I was a child, struggling, but not unde ...more

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Mar 29, 2018 Nicole M. Hewitt rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction-addiction-read

This middle grade book tackles some very heavy topics, focusing on Finley’s anxiety and depression. It also covers divorce, family schisms, mysterious deaths, and secret-keeping. The result is a somewhat dark, but ultimately hopeful middle grade read. First off, I want to say that I think Legrand does an excellent job of describing Finley’s feelings of depression and her self-doubt and anxiety that often stem from that. She realizes that she shouldn’t feel so sad all the time, and she feels a lo This middle grade book tackles some very heavy topics, focusing on Finley’s anxiety and depression. It also covers divorce, family schisms, mysterious deaths, and secret-keeping. The result is a somewhat dark, but ultimately hopeful middle grade read. First off, I want to say that I think Legrand does an excellent job of describing Finley’s feelings of depression and her self-doubt and anxiety that often stem from that. She realizes that she shouldn’t feel so sad all the time, and she feels a lot of guilt over that—she feels like there’s something wrong with her and that she doesn’t deserve her family’s love or affection because of it. Then, of course, she struggles with her parents’ broken relationship and a whole mess of secrets that unfold as the book progresses.

The mystery aspect of the book is compelling (though I had a bit of an idea of what happened, I was kept guessing on the details), and Finley’s emotional journey is incredibly poignant. There were a few times where I felt like the story moved a little slowly, but I was able to forgive that. My ONLY real issue isn’t actually an issue, but more of a personal concern: I fear my 13-year-old (who suffers from low-grade anxiety—and has gone through times where we’ve gone to therapy because it seemed to be manifesting as depression) might not be able to read this book because it would actually trigger her. She can’t handle intense sadness in books, and she’s pretty good at self-regulating—she generally won’t pick up a book that looks too sad or heavy. This book tackles a lot of heavy topics and it focuses a lot on Finley’s intense feelings of depression. I fear that dwelling on those intensely sad feelings for the whole book might be painful rather than therapeutic for my daughter. And I wonder if this might be even more the case with kids who suffer more from depression and anxiety than my daughter does (since hers has been relatively minor). Obviously, I don’t know, but it’s a thought that entered my mind.

The book straddles fantasy/magical realism and contemporary (it’s not actually fantastical, but the stories within the book are), and I think it’s a blend kids will love.

My one hang-up didn’t change my rating. I’m still giving this book 4.5/5 stars (and still debating whether to hand it off to my daughter ad let her decide for herself—after I tell her that it all ends up okay and the book has an overall hopeful message!) ...more

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Feb 27, 2017 Cyrus Aleman rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-i-actually-own, awesome-books, read-contemporary, made-me-think, mental-illness, i-know-the-author, important, all-time-favorites, signed, middle-grade

This book is important.
This book is so, so, so important.
It is the story of a girl who likes words, lists, forests, and writing; a girl who has days when everything is dark and heavy and she cannot breathe. It is the story of family and love; of family and secrets and selfishness; of family and trying and failing and trying again. It is the story of magic, of darkness, of learning and growing.
If I could give this book six stars, I would.
Finley's "blue days" were so real and raw and relateable. S ...more

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Feb 24, 2019 Travis rated it it was amazing

This truly might be my shortest review ever. Here is why, this book with here is a must read. It is absolutely refreshing and has such a RAW, EMOTIONAL, and POWERFUL message that needs to be heard and read about it. Claire Legrand came up with a story that punches you right in the gut and makes you think about life through a magnify glass. Some Kind of Happiness as of right now is without a doubt my favorite Legrand books so far. Please please if you have not read this yet, I encourage you to pi ...more

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About Claire Legrand

Claire Legrand

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Claire Legrand used to be a musician until she realized she couldn’t stop thinking about the stories in her head. Now she is a librarian and New York Times bestselling author living in central New Jersey.

Her first novel is THE CAVENDISH HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS, one of the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing in 2012. She is also the author of THE YEAR OF SHADOWS, a ghost st ...more

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“I suppose most things in a person's life are good for a while, even if that doesn't last very long. Maybe that is why, even after something has gone wrong, we spend so much time trying to fix it. Because we remember when it wasn't broken.” — 23 likes

“I start to worry that I should be saying something. Most of the time I think I could be perfectly content without saying a single word, but no one else seems to function that way. There is so much talking in the world, and so much expectation to talk, even if you do not feel like talking. I find it overwhelming.” — 17 likes

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