Happy Kid / Gail Gauthier / 230 pages / January Challenge Self-Help

Kyle's mother announces at dinner that she has bought back to school presents for him and his sister, Lauren.  Kyle still hadn't recovered from his birthday, when his mom had given him a magazine subscription to encourage him to read, a pedometer to encourage him to exercise, and a museum pass to encourage him to be an old fart. (His words, not mine!)  His gift is a book - Happy Kid! a Young Person's Guide to Satisfying Relationships and a Happy, Meaning-Filled Life. She thinks he needs it because he told her "Bert P. Trotts Middle School is the Gateway to Hell."  She thinks he is just being negative and that the book will help him redirect his thoughts and ultimately his life.  Is it possible, however, that the book is more than it seems?  Does it give readers messages that are just for them?  It certainly makes a difference in Kyle's life!  Dealing with problems encountered by most middle school students, Happy Kid offers practical, sensible, and, at times, humorous, suggestions for handling these difficulties.