Product Description

'Hundreds of people want to be in a band. They all get guitars and they all play gigs and they all write songs, and they still never make it.' There's a big difference between being a rock star and a pop idol - Will and Danny know which they'd prefer to be. They form the group Happy and it seems they are on the way to realising their ambitions. But when Happy's first gig is cut short by a fire at the venue, Will struggles to cope with his bitter disappointment and retreats into his private world, rejecting everyone around him. His girlfriend, Beth turns to Danny for comfort and their friendship soon becomes something more. With nothing left for him at home, Will leaves for London to stay with his session-musician father and to follow his dream.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #357977 in Books
• Published on: 2002-11-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Happy is Keith Gray's fifth book for Mammoth. His first, Creepers, was short-listed for the Guardian Children's Fiction Award.

At first sight the book looks as if, because of its well-spaced format, it might be intended for younger children. It is, however, a meaty story about the trials and tribulations of a group of lads aged around seventeen, and the problems they encounter when trying to start up their own band. The subject matter is better suited to the fourteen-plus age range.

The story focuses both on relationships within the band and with their parents, and also the expectations they have--school, girls and the difficulties in getting the balance right. The main character, Will, appears to be very single-minded in his quest for fame and it isn't until the end of the book that the reasons for this become clear. Teenage problems are addressed in a sensitive manner through a compelling story line which shows great insight into the behaviour of the boys.

About the Author
29 year old Keith was born and brought up in Grimsby and knew from an early age that he wanted to be a writer. When he got 0 percent in his accountancy exams he decided it was time for a career change and decided to make his writing dream a reality. His first book, Creepers, was published in 1996 when he was only 24. The novel was highly acclaimed and shortlisted for the Guardian Fiction Award. Keith is now a full-time writer. He lives in Edinburgh with his cockatiel, Baxten.