This Way to Happy

Myers (A Bird Will Soar) wields a roller coaster of emotions in this pragmatic novel about how to “find your happy.” When white-cued Reilly Rhoades’s grandfather—founder of the family’s amusement park business—suddenly dies, Reilly’s grief feels insurmountable. But the 12-year-old’s grandmother, mother, and aunt are determined to carry on the family tradition and open the park for the summer. Underneath the strain of keeping up appearances, however, hairline fractures appear in each of the Rhoades’s lives: Mom and Aunt Caroline begin lashing out at each other, and Grandma suffers a medical emergency. Feeling consumed by her grief and the stress at home, Reilly discovers a kindred lonely spirit in reckless, purple-haired Alex, who’s staying at the park’s adjoining campground and navigating his own family issues. Together, Reilly and Alex plan to make Grandpa’s dream to link the park and the campground a reality, in the process charting a course to brighter days. Via the complexly rendered characters—including three generations of strong and personable women—Myers tackles themes of addiction and recovery, divorce, and loss, and suggests that being open to happiness might be the best way to find it. Ages 10–up. Agent: Jennifer Rofé, Andrea Brown Literary. (Sept.)