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A review by nicolemhewitt
Some Kind of Happiness by Claire Legrand
5.0
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!)
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!)