Publisher's Synopsis
Now in paperback! "Hand it to fans of Sara Zarr, Sarah Dessen, or Zooey Deschanel" recommendsSLJ. In this poignant, realistic, contemporary YA by a state master list star, a young songwriter builds a substitute family with her friends in place of her own broken family.
Minerva has been raised by her single mother after her father left them both. On her 17th birthday, she is shocked to discover that he has been trying to keep in touch, but her mother has been sabotaging his attempts. Furious at her mom, she begins to investigate her dad, a famous marine biologist, only to discover that he has a new family, including a beloved, and perfect, stepdaughter--a girl Minerva despises. As she makes her way, trying to build her performing and songwriting career, her jealousy takes over and threatens to derail her life completely. It is only through the efforts of her best friend, Fin, and the introduction of Hayes, a new young man in her life, that she is able to see clearly who she is and who makes up her family.
Mary Amato is a Master List Queen! Her books have appeared on children's choice awards for the following states: AZ, CA, CT, FL, IL, KS, KY, MI, MO, MN, NC, NM, OK, SC, TN, UT, VT, WA, and have won many.
Reviews forGuitar Notes:
"...accessible for younger tweens...in the style of Meg Cabot's Princess Diaries books. Amato is able to produce both silly fiction for the juvenile crowd and poignant, realistic fiction for older readers without sacrificing humor or depth."--Booklist
"While the story is notably 'clean,' the characters' chemistry will have readers' hearts racing..."--Publishers Weekly
"This one will resonate."--Kirkus Reviews
"...a sweet story of two different loners finding their counterpoint."--School Library Journal
"This tale...pulls all the right strings...Amato brings characters to life with pitch-perfect detail...will resonate strongly with readers."--BCCB
"Your fans of John Green and Sarah Dessen will eat this title up."--TLT: Teen Librarian Toolbox
Praise forGet Happy:
"a moving, charged tale of family and identity. Hand it to fans of Sara Zarr, Sarah Dessen, or Zooey Deschanel."--School Library Journal
"Veteran Amato skillfully infuses her tale with moments of teenage angst, jealousy, disenchantment, humor and love. Hits a deep, sweet resonating note."--Kirkus Reviews
"Amato once again strums a clever, heartfelt, and realistic story sure to appeal to musical tweens."--Booklist
"This novel is well-written with characters that are believable and a main character that is enjoyable; the reader will root for Minerva."--Library Media Connection
Awards and Honors forGuitar Notes:
• Kentucky Bluegrass Award Nominee
• Utah Beehive Award Nominee
• South Carolina Junior Book Award Nominee
• Connecticut Teen Nutmeg Award Nominee
• MTV Hollywood Crush Choice for Best Books 2012
• Conneat (OH) English Festival Booklist Choice 2015
• Kentucky (NKU) Bookfest Booklist Choice 2014
• Avon School Middle High School (MA) One Book Choice 2014
You may visit Mary Amato at either www.thrumsociety.com or www.maryamato.com, follow her on Twitter @MaryAmato, or visit her on Facebook at Author Mary Amato.
