I think this is a very intriguing book. It really touches the soul if you bother to understand the meaning of the story. There are some parts that bored me a tad bit, but overall I adore this story; it brought me close to tears.
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Hurt Go Happy
(2006, Fiction - Family Life, Written by Ginny Rorby)
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Award-winner faces tough topic of animal testing.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 11 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Hurt Go Happy
Parents need to know that one of the major themes is animal testing and experimentation. Though not graphic, this may be disturbing to some kids. Also, a major character was abused as a young child, leading to deafness.
Read our full review by Matt Berman
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about animal testing and experimentation. What are the pros and cons? Which outweighs the other? What are the ethics involved? Is it OK if it saves many lives? Is it OK with some animals but not with others? Readers who wish to know more can start with the Web sites listed below, as well as the organizations listed in the back of the book.
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
Deeeeeep to the Heart
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
AWESOME
*************I REALLY LOVED THIS BOOK IT ACTUALLY MADE MY CHILD CRY. HA HA HA WHEN I ASKED HER SHE SAID BECAUSE TIS BOOK IS REALLY GOOD. I THINK THIS BOOK WOULD BE GOOD FOR CHILDEN MAYBE 10 AND UP REALLY REALLY GOOD AFTER MY DAUGHTER READ IT I DID THE BOOK HAD THE CAME EFFECT ON ME AS IT DID OF MY DAUGHTER*************************
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
very touching
i loved this book.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
I nearly cried
It was one of the most touching books I have ever read.Just the story make you think more about life. 1# ON MY LIST of best books!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
A Very Sad, Yet Heartening Novel
Be warned, this book has a very very very sad ending. It does, however, leave the reader with a feeling of redemption and trumph. It features a thirteen-year-old girl who is whose father's abuse has left her deaf. Although most of have not experienced this, we can easily empathize with her because we can compare it to many of the traumas that we have faced in our own life. The book begins when the family has escaped from the father, and has moved of their car into a nice home. The mother doesn't turn out to be the world's greatest parent either, refusing to let her daughter learn sign language because she does not want people to know that her daughter is deaf. Instead, her daughter lip speaks which she finds very difficult. The daughter finds solace in two "accidental friendships" with a doctor and his sing-language speaking chimp, and they began to teach the girl sign language. The book begins to get emotional here, dealing with harsh, ethically challenging topics like animal testing and death. Through these events and her friends, though, the girl does become successful. Leaves you with an aftertaste of sorrow and encouragement to face all odds. YOU WON'T FORGET THIS ONE!!!
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