Happy More Than Not — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
In the months after his father's suicide, it's been tough for sixteen-year-old Aaron Soto to find happiness again but he's still gunning for it. With the support of his girlfriend Genevieve and his overworked mom, he's slowly remembering what that might feel like. But grief and the smile-shaped scar on his wrist prevent him from forgetting completely.
When Genevieve leaves for a couple of weeks, Aaron spends all his time hanging out with this new guy, Thomas. Aaron's crew notices, and they're not exactly thrilled. But Aaron can't deny the happiness Thomas brings or how Thomas makes him feel safe from himself, despite the tensions their friendship is stirring with his girlfriend and friends. Since Aaron can't stay away from Thomas or turn off his newfound feelings for him, he considers turning to the Leteo Institute's revolutionary memory-alteration procedure to straighten himself out, even if it means forgetting who he truly is.
Why does happiness have to be so hard?
Silvera managed to leave me smiling after totally breaking my heart. Unforgettable.
Becky Albertalli, author of Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda
"Adam Silvera explores the inner workings of a painful world and he delivers this with heartfelt honesty and a courageous, confident hand . . . A mesmerizing, unforgettable tour de force."
John Corey Whaley, National Book Award finalist and author of Where Things Come Back and Noggin
From the Hardcover edition."
Frequently asked questions
Is Happy More Than Not appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book includes a scene where Aaron is beaten up by friends after being seen hugging another boy, highlighting the violence stemming from homophobia. This act of violence significantly impacts the storyline and character development. No content identified as scary or frightening in the search results.
Does Happy More Than Not have violence?
The book includes a scene where Aaron is beaten up by friends after being seen hugging another boy, highlighting the violence stemming from homophobia. This act of violence significantly impacts the storyline and character development.
Does Happy More Than Not have scary content?
No content identified as scary or frightening in the search results.
Does Happy More Than Not have religious themes?
No religious content or themes detected in the search results.
Does Happy More Than Not have racial/cultural content?
The book addresses themes of race and class, particularly through the experiences of a gay Hispanic teenager navigating life in the Bronx. It reflects on cultural and societal pressures related to identity.
Does Happy More Than Not have profanity?
The dialogue in the book includes strong language, such as 'f--k' and 's--t', reflecting the realistic speech patterns of the characters in their urban setting.
Does Happy More Than Not have climate change?
No climate-related themes or content detected in the search results.
Does Happy More Than Not have sexual identity?
The narrative contains references to sexual activity, including illicit hookups and discussions about teen sexuality. It addresses the complexities of sexual awakening and relationships among teenagers.
Does Happy More Than Not have gender roles?
No specific themes regarding gender roles detected in the search results.
Does Happy More Than Not have lgbtq+ themes?
The story follows Aaron, a teenager questioning his sexuality, as he grapples with the possibility of being gay, bisexual, or straight. The narrative explores themes of identity and the societal pressures surrounding sexuality, particularly through the lens of the Leteo procedure, which offers a way to erase memories of being gay.
