{Guest Post Song+Giveaway} Get Happy by Mary Amato @maryamato

Item: Get Happy
Author: Michelle @ Book Briefs

Posted October 28, 2014 by Michelle @ Book Briefs in Giveaways, Young Adult / 6 Comments

Get Happy by Mary Amato
Pages: 256
Published by Egmont USA on 2014-10-28
Genres: Family, Friendship, Music, Performing Arts, Social Issues, Stepfamilies, Young Adult

In this poignant, realistic, contemporary YA by a state master list star, perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen and Gayle Forman, a young songwriter builds a substitute family with her friends in place of the broken family she grew up with.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 already knows and 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.

I asked Mary what music inspires Minerva? And she shared an original song that she wrote with us! How awesome is that?

I think Minerva would have slightly odd and broad taste. I think she goes for songs that are lyrically interesting. Ingrid Michaelson and Regina Spektor would be among her favorites.
I imagine Minerva frequenting open mics with Hayes and Fin and eventually singing her own songs, meeting more songwriters, and getting more and more confident.
I love open mics and talent shows. My favorite thing to do at an open mic is play and sing a uke song because it’s so easy to bring along a uke. I love playing the guitar, but let’s face it, they are way heavier and harder to hide. You can carry a little uke with you everywhere and anywhere and whip it out. Parties. Parks. Airports. You name it.
Here is one of the songs I wrote for Get Happy.

I also asked Mary What we would find under her bed if we peeked:

I have to answer the question about what I have under my bed because it’s funny if you’ve read Get Happy. I have presents hiding under my bed. Birthday presents and holiday presents. But they’re not ones that I’ve received. They’re presents that I buy throughout the year and save to mail. Never been asked that question before!

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About Mary Amato

Mary Amato is an award-winning children’s book author, songwriter, musician, puppeteer, and poet. She writes for children of all ages, and is beginning to focus on YA. Her first YA novel was Guitar Notes. Mary lives with her family outside Washington, DC, where she also performs regularly, singing and playing her own songs. Mary is a popular speaker and runs numerous workshops for teachers and students, including many on all aspects of creative writing, even songwriting. The author lives in Silver Spring, MD. You can visit her online at www.maryamato.com.