With society becoming more attuned to the fact that mental illness can start in childhood, children’s literature must also incorporate this reality. Faking Happiness, Feeling Sadness (leaving no doubt to its topic) follows the journey of a young girl experiencing a sustained period of sadness for no apparent reason (i.e. depression). Anika runs the gamut of confiding in her friends, talking to a school counsellor, and eventually seeing a therapist. While not particularly enamoured with the illustration style, I welcome a book that makes discussion about mental health accessible to both parents and children. And, while talking about resilience methods and healthy lifestyles for depression, the fact that medication is a topic studiously avoided, creates the impression that stigma is still too scary to allow for full, honest dialogue. This book is a step in the right direction, but I hope for an edition in future that discusses depression in young people even more openly.

This was such a relatable book, even as an adult.

Anika's story is so familiar, and should be read by teenagers, parents, guardians and teachers. If you are someone that has a child/teenager that you love, this book is for you.

The way Faking Happiness, Feeling Sadness, is written, it gives you Anika's point of view. You see her thoughts about depression and the confusion (for her) that it pretty much came out of nowhere and keeps getting worse with time. It was great seeing Anika's inner monologue, her conversation with her friends (and their amazing advice), normalizing therapy and even Anika's conversation with her parents. Even the options beyond just therapy, that Anika was able to dabble in and try out for herself.

The way the interactions and care were for Anika is an example of how things should always been when we're addressing and validating the emotional needs and wellbeing of our children/teenagers. This was a beautiful book. I needed this book as a teen when I was dealing with depression myself.



I volunteered to read a copy of this ARC through NetGalley.

Good content but not a fan of white authors using black images/characters for a storyline/profit. Many of our students are looking for books that represent them and the topics of false narrative.

Faking Happiness, Feeling Sadness is a dramatic, empowering chapter book that gives young readers, especially girls, the hope and guidance they need to work through uncomfortable feelings and find emotional relief.

Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I really wish I had this book when I was younger and struggling to understand my own mental health. Anika is a relatable character to anyone who has struggled to understand or cope with their mental health while still school age. The illustrations were realistic while staying childlike and cartoon enough not to make it too overwhelmingly realistic with the topic. I am glad that she was shown opening up to a variety of people (family and friends as well as professionals) and the methods explored to help are great ones that anyone can try.

Favourite Quote:
"I've been in a sad funk for a few weeks. Maybe even a month now. What's weird is that nothing happened or changed to make me start feeling this way. I almost wish something really awful had happened, then I'd understand it. But nothing changed. I'm just getting sadder and sadder. I want to snap out of it, but I can't."

An excellent book on how to face how you are feeling and how to help yourself when it becomes overwhelming. I read this with my daughter and we both really enjoyed it. The characters were well fleshed out and the story wasn’t rushed and took the appropriate tone for the subject

I wish I had this book when I was a teenager. However it still had an impact on me even though in my thirties. Its written in a pleasant and easy way to follow. Definitely recommend!

Thanks NetGalley!!

A good book for anyone from early teens and older. A gentle story on how to get out of the "blah" feelings before they escalate.

I can see sequels as this book alludes to other emotional support for those affected by divorce, death or other life-changing issues that throw emotions into turmoil.

Faking Happiness, Feeling Sadness (Navigating Friendships) by Jennifer Licate
I received a copy of an eBook ARC in order to give an honest review. All statements are my own.

First off, I am a 58 year old woman, so obviously not the target age for this book. I kept that in mind while reading and as I am writing this review.

This book is written for a much younger crowd then I am part of, but I do still remember enough of being a tween/teen to wish a book like this had been available for me.

Reading the back cover made me cringe. There is not a permanent cure for depression at any age. There is no "Quick Remedy" It's disingenuous to make it appear there is..

I enjoyed the illustrations, and I believe the target age will also. It was written in a clear manner, that hopefully will appeal to the young people this book is intended for.

My second problem with this book is it makes it appear that counselors will always be ready to help and parents always do the best and love their children. I can assure you, far too often, the counselors are overworked, underpaid,, or just don't like tween/teens. Mine didn't. As to parents, too often they are busy with work, raising children, other things and don't have time for the child who is struggling with emotions. I was told often, and loudly, that I'd be given something to be depressed about, that my life was a bowl of cherries...*It wasn't*

None of this is to say this isn't a good book, just it misses the mark and is far too simplistic on how many who read this book will realize, their counselor, their parent's aren't "the perfect one's" this book makes them think they should be.

This is a short story about a girl named Anika, who has been feeling sad lately for no particular reason, and after being asked by her friends what's wrong, she confesses her feelings. Her friends encourage her to talk to the school counselor who suggests a therapist Ms. Allison, to Anika's parent. After a few sessions with the therapist, and acting on the advice of her therapist and counselor, Anika starts feeling better.

As the primary target readers for this book are middle-schoolers, the writing is simple, with easy-to-understand words and the illustrations impact the readers.

I found this book to be, typical or cliche. However, since the book was written with pre-teens and teens in mind, I liked it. If you are a pre-teen, then you might like it too.

The number of cases I read about self-harm and depression affecting the youth, breaks my heart. It is good to see that some people care and are doing something to prevent the worst from happening.

I absolutely love love LOVED this book. Not only is good for children, but I feel like as an adult reading this, I related to it so incredibly much.
Anika is sad, but she isn’t sure why she is. With the help of her friends & school counselor, she talks with her parents about what’s going on & gets referred to a therapist. Ms. Allison helps Anika sort out her feelings & navigates her through healthy coping mechanisms with depression. Will definitely be reading this to my daughter as well.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Boys Town Press Publishing, & also IBPA.

A quick simple read with great illustrations talking about depression. This book would be good for any young adult who has been feeling sad and aren’t sure why.

Anika is not happy but isn't sure why. She has gradually been feeling sadder and sadder until sometimes getting out of bed seems too much of an effort. Even though she's been trying to keep everything to herself, her friends are worried and try to persuade her to speak to someone. With help Anika knows things can get better but she will have to spend time and be honest with herself if that is to happen.

Aimed at readers aged 9 and older it is, from an adult's perspective, a simple look at a complex problem. Everything falls into place when Anika needs it with counsellors and therapists immediately available and her parents are very supportive. Neither of these things is a given, of course, and unfortunately no extra information is provided on how to cope when there are additional difficulties. As a tool for discussion this could provide a good starting point but being based on the American school system, also limits its usefulness

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Boys Town Press Publishing, Independent Book Publishers  Association (IBPA), Members' Titles, but the opinions expressed are my own. The limitations outweigh the positives here, unfortunately.

I could relate to this story, and in a way, the illustrations also made this more comfortable to read and explore, and it is a good book for young readers to help them speak up and open up about how they feel.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC

Faking Happiness, Feeling Sadness
by Jennifer Licate

Mental health, we all have one, right? Especially at a young age being unhappy and not fitting in can be scary. We might not need to know where to get help from, who to ask. It’s scary as it is.

This was advertised as middle grade reading, especially directed towards girls. While I whole heartedly agree with this, I personally like reading these books, because I work with adults with mental disabilities. This book was easy enough to understand for my purposes and I think my patients could benefit from that as well. Because come on, emotions are difficult enough as they are. I really appreciated the approach the book took.

I expected a book that’s handing out advice… Literally, but what surprised me was that it was a story and not a self help book kind of style. It was so much more relatable like that.

The drawings were age appropriate, though maybe not my favourites.

I could connect to Anika really well because I went through something similar and still carry the insecurities with me. So it’s relatable for sure. But the turning point was, Anika told her family, something I never did. I think that might have made a difference, someone close understanding, but I also get the fear.
There a
Is advice and tips strewn across the story, which I liked.

All in all, I appreciate the book and would have loved to have this myself at that age!


Publication 09 Apr 2024 by Boys Town Press Publishing, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted copy.

I read this book with my niece, and we both absolutely loved it. Such an encouraging book, especially for young girls. I definitely recommend getting this for your daughter, niece, granddaughter, ect.