Details
- Nominated for the Carnegie Medal for Writing, 2024
- An Amazon YA Book of the Year, 2023
- A Irish Sunday Independent Book Of The Year, 2023
'This is a truly thought-provoking thriller, channelling the menace of dystopian favourites such as Maze Runner and The Hunger Games.' Observer
'Silver deftly weaves in the familiar platitudes – and the genuinely good, evidence-based advice – alongside more sinister elements. This debut is both fun and thought-provoking.' The Irish Times
‘So tense doesn’t quite cut it. It’s SO GOOD!’ A.F. Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief
‘Like Hunger Games but better' Sue Wallman, author of Lying About Last Summer
‘Dark and thrilling’ Taron Egerton
‘A brilliantly written page-turner, HappyHead is a compelling love story set in an all too possible world where no one can be trusted and teenage happiness is not an aspiration but a must. Sharp and unsettling, Silver’s debut had me rooting for Seb and Finn from the off.’
Amy Beashel, author of The Sky Is Mine
'HappyHead is a heart-pounding must-read. Thought-provoking and absorbing, it is nearly impossible to put down.'
Ravena Guron author of This Book Kills
'Cancel your reading slump, because Josh Silver has arrived. With a voice that will suck you in from page one, you’ll be rooting for Seb from the edge of your seat and he won’t let you go until the very last line. An unforgettable debut that recaptures the thrills and spills of great YA dystopian fiction.'
Melissa Welliver, author of The Undying Tower
'Josh Silver has written an incredible book! Seb is such a charismatic and endearing main character with a unique voice that makes you root for him immediately. It’s a book that grows in tension and action with each page, with a brilliantly evil concept and phenomenal twists. The "Love Island" meets "Squid Game" concept is fantastic and it only gets more compelling the deeper into the story you get. I honestly can’t wait to read the next instalment! (there better be a next instalment!!)' Ben Oliver, author of The Loop
SCHOOL FEEDBACK
Thank you to Josh for an extremely powerful and engaging visit to Crompton House School. Often author visits are centred around their books but whilst the characters and themes are related, Josh talked at length about the LGBTQ+ community, looking after our mental health and wellbeing and how important it is to be inclusive and kind to one another. It is vital that our young people are aware of how wonderfully diverse the world we live in is and that we treat one another with respect and kindness; we are after all, all human. Josh tackled very real issues within society today with sensitivity and decorum, our young people really connected with Josh, many of whom wanted to chat after the sessions, we could have gone on all day!!
Thanks for a fantastically holistic and educational visit, we wish him all the very best and can’t wait to continue on the journey in ‘Dead Happy’
Claire Cullen – Librarian Crompton House School
Sophie Beamish, Loreto High School said:
Just wanted to say a huge thank you for today; the pupils really enjoyed it and said they enjoyed meeting Josh.
We'd love to have Josh again and thanks so much for such a brilliant opportunity.
Rachel Hockey, Chorlton High School said:
Huge thanks to Josh Silver and Liz for such a great session with our Year 9's this afternoon.
He was honest, personal and totally relatable for the students. Such a refreshing change!
Would love to have him in again! 😊
