ParentsPick

More Happy Than Not — Content Guide for Parents

By Adam SilveraRecorded Books2015ISBN 9781490666891
More Happy Than Not

Themes present

Violence
Racial/cultural content
Profanity
Sexual identity
LGBTQ+ themes

Not found

Scary contentReligious themesClimate changeGender roles

Content themes

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Religious themes

PRESENT

Contains 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 16-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?"-- Publisher's website.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is More Happy Than Not appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    The book includes a scene where Aaron is beaten up after being seen hugging another boy, highlighting the violence faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. This act of violence is significant to the plot and Aaron's character development. No elements of horror or frightening content are mentioned in the search results.

  • Does More Happy Than Not have violence?

    The book includes a scene where Aaron is beaten up after being seen hugging another boy, highlighting the violence faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. This act of violence is significant to the plot and Aaron's character development.

  • Does More Happy Than Not have scary content?

    No elements of horror or frightening content are mentioned in the search results.

  • Does More Happy Than Not have religious themes?

    No religious practices, beliefs, or ceremonies are mentioned in the narrative of the book.

  • Does More Happy Than Not have racial/cultural content?

    The protagonist, Aaron Soto, is described as a Nuyorican living in the Bronx, and the narrative addresses themes of race, class, and sexuality. The book reflects on the cultural and societal pressures faced by a young Hispanic boy in a diverse urban setting.

  • Does More Happy Than Not have profanity?

    The dialogue includes strong language such as 'f--k' and 's--t', reflecting the realistic speech patterns of the characters. This use of profanity is consistent with the urban setting and the characters' backgrounds.

  • Does More Happy Than Not have climate change?

    No themes related to climate, environmentalism, or activism are present in the narrative.

  • Does More Happy Than Not have sexual identity?

    The narrative contains references to sexual activity, including discussions of first times and illicit hookups, both straight and gay. This is framed within the context of teenage sexual awakening and identity exploration.

  • Does More Happy Than Not have gender roles?

    While the book features diverse characters, there is no explicit discussion of traditional or modern gender roles as a central theme in the narrative.

  • Does More Happy Than Not have lgbtq+ themes?

    The story follows Aaron Soto, a 16-year-old boy grappling with his sexual identity, questioning whether he is straight, bisexual, or gay. The narrative explores themes of self-acceptance and the societal pressures surrounding sexuality, particularly through the lens of Aaron's desire to suppress his identity.