The Other Half of Happy

Handpicked by Amazon kids' books editor, Seira Wilson, for Prime Book Box – a children's subscription that inspires a love of reading. 

This immersive, award-winning novel following the story of Quijana, a girl in pieces, is now available in paperback.

One-half Guatemalan, one-half American: When Quijana's Guatemalan cousins move to town, her dad seems ashamed that she doesn't know more about her family's heritage.

One-half crush, one-half buddy: When Quijana meets Zuri and Jayden, she knows she's found true friends. But she can't help the growing feelings she has for Jayden.

One-half kid, one-half grown-up: Quijana spends her nights Skyping with her ailing grandma and trying to figure out what's going on with her increasingly hard-to-reach brother.

Quijana must figure out which parts of herself are most important, and which pieces come together to make her whole.

This is a heartfelt poetic portrayal of a girl growing up, fitting in, and learning what it means to belong.

• Lyrical middle grade debut from author Rebecca Balcárcel
• A diverse and family-centered story that resonates with anyone who remembers, or is going through, growing pains
• Inclusively embraces real life experiences with biracial, autistic, and gay characters
• 2020 Pura Belpré Honor Book
• A Junior Library Guild Selection
• ALSC Notable Children's Book
• 2020 Jean Flynn Award for Best Middle Grade Book
• 2020 Spirit of Texas Reading Program Recommended Title

Perfect for:

• Tweens and teens
• Bilingual and bicultural readers
• Parents
• Educators