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Vendor
Fritz Agency
Christian Dittus
Original language
English

HOW TO BE HAPPY

David Burton

Text Prize For Young Adult and Children's Writing

A funny, sad and serious memoir, HOW TO BE HAPPY tackles depression, friendship, sexual identity, suicide, academic pressure, love and adolescent confusion. It's a brave and honest account of one young man's search for a happy, true and meaningful life that will resonate with readers young and old.
David grew up in a loving family, the older brother of twins with Asperger's Syndrome. He was bullied at school and made few friends. Then, as his best friend began self-harming he felt a sense of responsibility, which led to anxiety and depression. He became convinced he was gay and tried to find confidence in embracing that identity, only to find himself more confused and depressed and on the verge of suicide. His story of self-discovery and recovery is a heartwarming inspirational account of a difficult path through adolescence.

Ms Available in June 2015.

David Burton is a twenty-four-year-old award-winning playwright from Brisbane. His work April's Fool (Playlab Press) toured nationally in 2012. He has recently co-written Hedonism's Second Album for La Boite Indie, and The Landmine is Me for Queensland Theatre Company. A speaker and presenter in schools across Queensland, David is passionate about sharing his remarkable story with young people.
Available products
Book

Published 2015-09-01 by Text Publishing

Comments

‘[Burton] delivers some devastating truth bombs. Sexuality is hard. Identity is hard. Love is hard. School is hard...This book shines a much-needed light back through the tunnel. It is a call-out to teenagers still struggling to find their way. How to Be Happy says ‘here's the path I took, hope it helps'.' Books & Publishing