“My goal in school is to be noticed as little as possible.”

From Cliff Burke’s An Occasionally Happy Family.

In the two years since his mom died, thirteen-year-old Theo has been somewhat adrift, just trying to get through life without the glue that held his family together. While Theo used to get along well with his older sister, Laura, the siblings spend most of their time arguing these days. When Dad announces that this year’s first week of summer vacation will be to Big Bend National Park with the promise of a surprise on the last few days, Theo and Laura are less than thrilled to spend a week in the Texas wilderness. While the spirited Laura is frequently at odds with their dad, Theo is often left in the middle, or more accurately, ignored by both. The first few days are filled with a close call with a bear, a controlling birdwatcher and his influencer-wannabe son, a naked old couple in a hot spring, but Theo and Laura are mainly focused on figuring out what the surprise is. However, when the surprise turns out to be meeting Dad’s secret new girlfriend, Lucrecia, both Theo and Laura are resistant to spend time with the peppy life coach. During the last couple days of their vacation, the kids struggle with both their grief and the craziness that has been thrust upon them.

The realistic, but funny narrator guides readers through a genuine story that is difficult to put down. While some content makes this read more suitable for middle school or early high school readers, the story will easily connect with readers that have experienced loss. In An Occasionally Happy Family, Burke creates a work of realistic fiction that both young and adult readers will enjoy.