This Way to Happy

Reilly Rhoades has grown up at her grandparents’ amusement park and campground. Her cousin and BFF Nic also lives there. It’s been a happy life until Grandpa died recently. Now it seems keeping the business going is something of a struggle, which causes Reilly and Nic’s mothers to fight more and more. When Grandma gets sick and ends up in the hospital, Reilly’s mom loses it and slaps Nic. Nic’s mom takes Nic, packs up, and leaves town. Everyone who works at the park pitches in to try to keep things going, but it’s hard. Reilly makes a new friend, Alex, who is staying at the campground. It helps, but Reilly still misses Nic. Can things ever get back to normal?

Allison Green Myers has written a story of an extended family trying to run a business and all get along. It touches on issues of loss, grieving, and learning to go on. It’s very realistic and leaves some issues unresolved, as happens in life. The characters are well-rounded, and the writing is great. The setting is unique, and it will capture the attention of young readers. This is a terrific middle-grade novel.