HappyHead

by

Josh Silver

Suspenseful young adult dystopian thriller where evil lurks behind a smiling face.

HappyHead by Josh Silver is a new young adult dystopian thriller about a mysterious residential treatment facility that claims its mission is to fight the rise of systemic unhappiness across society’s youth and its inaugural session of 100 hand-selected teen participants. From the outside, HappyHead appears to be a beautiful and luxurious spa-like opportunity for young adults who are seeking to improve personal growth or, for some, gain an advantage in their upcoming journey to achieve adult success. The reality may be something much, much different, and unexpectedly deadly. 

The story unfolds from the point of view of the main character, Sebastian “Seb” Seaton, a young man struggling with feeling loved and accepted for who he is by his family, especially his parents, and they don’t even know that he’s gay. Seb seems like such a regular kid, working through understanding himself, his feelings and beliefs, and others, while developing a foundation for his true persona. His attraction to the dark, wounded Finneas is achingly meant to be. His narration reveals a humorous and clever personality, and the snark is strong and entertaining. 

Nothing about the routine or treatment at the facility is what Seb expected, and, from the start, he feels unsettled and off-balance, like everyone is in on a joke except him (and so was I as a reader.) The smiling visages of the “Overalls” and HappyHead treatment staff are eerie and add to the constantly rising feeling of suspense. Several of the activities at HappyHead triggered my “AwHellNo” alarm and upped the terror of the story, such as the implanting of a ‘chip’ in the breast of the young participants. Each subsequent twist kept me glued to the story as the action and the fates of the characters careened forward. 

Quickly a fan of Seb’s “voice,” I was completely absorbed into Seb’s story. The descriptions of the facility and grounds are vivid, starting even before setting foot on the actual property. Set somewhere in the Scottish countryside, Seb’s parents literally drop him off in the middle of nowhere on a dead-end road, surrounded by tall reeds and sunflower fields obscuring the sight of any buildings or landmarks nearby. Later, there are scenes of confusing, undistinguishable white interiors and dark, dense woods, all confined within tall, electrified fencing, enhancing the pervasive feelings of desperation, isolation, and lack of individual control. 

With its sympathetic main characters and interesting range of intense secondary figures, suspense-filled atmosphere, and twisty plot, I recommend HAPPYHEAD to readers of young adult dystopian thrillers, especially those wanting complex but realistic LGBTQ representation. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden has named Chris Smith as the new Senior Vice President of Marketing and Guest Experience. Smith brings extensive experience in public gardens and green spaces, most recently serving as a consultant for the Arboretum, with significant contributions made this past summer.

In her new role, Smith will lead the Arboretum’s marketing strategy and guest engagement initiatives, with a focus on elevating the experience for all who visit this beloved green space. Her passion for nature, combined with a proven track record of driving transformative initiatives, positions her as a key addition to the leadership team.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chris Smith as our new Senior Vice President of Marketing and Guest Experience,” said Christie Eckler, Chief Advancement Officer at the Dallas Arboretum. “Chris has a demonstrated ability to lead impactful initiatives and brings a unique blend of passion for nature and innovative guest engagement strategies. We are confident she will be instrumental in enhancing the Arboretum experience for all of our guests.”

Smith spent her career championing green spaces, combining marketing and communications expertise with guest experience strategies to foster meaningful connections between people and nature. In her new role, she will continue to engage Arboretum guests, advancing the its mission of showcasing the beauty of nature and promoting education and sustainability.

Smith earned an MBA from Texas Christian University and a Master’s in Environmental Relations from the University of North Texas. She is a current member of the Dallas Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and American Public Gardens Association.

About the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden:

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake at 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218. The Dallas Arboretum is also the home of the internationally acclaimed Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden. The garden is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Festival daytime admission is $22 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and older, $13 for children 2-12, and free for Arboretum members and children under two. On-site parking is $15. Evening tickets range from $13-$35. The Dallas Morning News is the principal partner of the Dallas Arboretum. The Arboretum is supported, in part, by funds from the Dallas Park and Recreation Department. WFAA is an official media sponsor for the Dallas Arboretum. 

The UIL Region I Cross Country Championships, held on October 22, 2024, at Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock, Texas, brought together over 30 high school teams vying for a spot at the state meet. Competing across multiple classifications, including the fiercely competitive 6A division, both boys and girls delivered remarkable performances. Among the standouts, Maya Easterwood from the 6A Girls division claimed an impressive 2nd place, while Pranav Vegiraju led the 6A Boys team to a solid 10th-place finish.

Individual and Team Highlights

Top Performers for 6A Boys: 

• Pranav Vegiraju - 18th Place, 16:04.2
• Grant O'Neal - 47th Place, 16:44.4
• Rohit Kalpathy - 63rd Place, 17:04.3
• Team Placement: 10th Place

Coach Wren commented on the boys' performance:

“The Varsity Boys had a disappointing day and finished 10th overall. We had a bit of bad luck that didn't help matters. We definitely had bigger aspirations, but the boys gave it all that they had, and I was proud of them for that. Looking back on the year, we have a lot to be proud of. We accomplished a lot as a team this season. They are a great group of young men, and I look forward to working with them during track season and seeing what they can accomplish.”

Top Performers for 6A Girls:

• Maya Easterwood - 2nd Place, 17:25.3

Coach Wren praised Maya, saying: 

“I was excited to watch Maya run on the Lubbock course again. She ran really well on it back in September with very little competition. I knew she had the chance to go much faster against the top girls from Region 1. She ran extremely well once again, improving her time by close to 40 seconds. She didn't get the win but finished 2nd overall and has a chance to win a state championship on November 1 in Round Rock. Maya has had an unbelievable year, and I can't wait to watch her at the State Championship. She is getting faster and faster as the year goes on.”

Looking Ahead

The final race of the season, the UIL 6A State Cross Country Championship, will take place at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, Texas, on November 1-2, 2024. After her strong performance at the regional meet, Maya Easterwood will represent our team at the state level. She will compete against the top runners from across Texas, aiming to conclude her season with an outstanding performance at the state's most prestigious cross-country event.

Go Cowboys! Go Cowgirls!

Contact Information

For more details or to support the team, please contact:

Patricia Chi
Email: chi.patricia@gmail.com
Phone: (469) 831-3709

On Saturday, November 2 at 7:30 PM, at Cathedral of Hope located at 5910 Cedar Springs Road, the Turtle Creek Chorale’s combined ensembles will present Craig Hella Johnson’s moving oratorio, “Considering Matthew Shepard,” in conjunction with Cathedral of Hope and The Women’s Chorus of Dallas.

Inspired by the tragic 1988 murder of a young gay man, Matthew Shepard, renowned conductor Craig Hella Johnson composed this compassionate and evocative musical response that fills audiences with hope and joy. Heartbreaking in its honesty and hopeful in its prophecy, this performance will combine theater, narration, and a soulful score, astonishing you with its beauty and power. 

Tickets for the performance are available for purchase on the Turtle Creek Chorale website here and range from $25 - $50.

One of its largest events of the year, The University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT Dallas) will host its annual True Blue Preview Day for high school juniors and seniors and college transfer students on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The open house event provides an opportunity for prospective students and their families to visit the campus for an exploratory look at everything UNT Dallas has to offer. UNT Dallas is the only public, accredited four-year university in the city of Dallas, offering dozens of undergraduate programs and majors in four schools: Business, Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Behavioral Health and Human Services.

The university also boasts the city’s only public law school and a new STEM building that will expand pathways to healthcare careers when it opens in late 2025 for the Spring 2026 semester.

True Blue Preview Day invites prospective students and their families to tour the campus and interact with current students, alumni, academic advisors, career counselors, financial aid experts, and student success advocates. Tours will cover classrooms, study and collaborative spaces, athletic areas, the residence hall and cafeteria as well as the Student Center. 

Also on hand will be UNT Dallas faculty and staff committed to academic success, experiential education, and ensuring today’s students are career-ready for high-demand jobs in a competitive workforce and inspired to become tomorrow’s leaders.

Students attending will be entered into a drawing to be one of 10 students to receive a book credit award valued up to $750. The award can be redeemed at the UNT Dallas Bookstore for books and classroom materials for one semester. Recipients must be present to receive bookstore credit and be enrolled in a UNT Dallas degree program.

With a focus on supporting first-generation and other first-time college students, university staff will help students design the next steps of their educational journey, customizing a path to success that best fits their career interests, budget, and life on and off campus.

Because of its academic rigor, educational and financial value, and commitment to improving students' socioeconomic mobility, UNT Dallas continues to rise in national rankings. 

U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” publication ranked UNT Dallas #35 in Regional Universities West, higher than the previous year. This puts the university in the top tier of all the regional colleges and universities evaluated, which includes 118 public and private institutions from 14 states. UNT Dallas also moved up in the Washington Monthly's annual rankings of universities and colleges. The 2024 annual list names UNT Dallas in its “Best Bang for Your Buck” category in the South region.

UNT Dallas is located at 7300 University Hills Blvd. in southern Dallas. Parking is free. To find the schedule and register, go to untdallas.edu. For questions, please email visit@untdallas.edu.

About UNT Dallas
The newest member of the UNT System, the University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT Dallas) is the city's only public four-year university. Located in southern Dallas and serving more than 3,400 students, UNT Dallas offers students a world-class, innovative education focused on career readiness and socioeconomic mobility. UNT Dallas is passionately committed to developing, nurturing and empowering the next generation of servant leaders in North Texas. For more information about the University of North Texas at Dallas, visit untdallas.edu.