Product guide

Hurt Go Happy: A Novel

Hurt Go Happy is a middle-grade novel about Joey, a deaf teenager who secretly learns sign language after meeting a man and his baby chimpanzee. The story follows new friendships and growing possibilities alongside concern for the chimpanzee’s survival.

At a glance

Joey’s deafness and her secret effort to learn sign language are central to the story.
The plot connects Joey’s growing social life with the uncertain future of a baby chimpanzee.
The listed age range is 10–14 years, with a grade-level range of 5–9.

Price

$3.99Save 78%

Reference price: ~~$17.99~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

Centers a young deaf protagonist and communication through sign language.
Pairs an emotional coming-of-age story with themes of friendship and compassion.
Kindle edition lists screen-reader support and enhanced typesetting.

Technical specifications

14 specifications

Book details
Publisher	Starscape
Publication date	June 2, 2010
Edition	1st
Language	English
Print length	273 pages
ISBN-13	978-1429909372
Grade level	5 - 9
Reading age	10 - 14 years

Kindle edition
File size	1.3 MB
Screen Reader	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	Enabled
X-Ray	Not Enabled
Word Wise	Not Enabled
Page Flip	Enabled

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers ages 10–14 looking for a character-led middle-grade novel.
Readers interested in stories about deafness, sign language, friendship and animal welfare.
Families or educators seeking fiction that can prompt discussion about communication and compassion.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.6 / 5 · 149 ratings

5 stars82%82%
4 stars10%10%
3 stars4%4%
2 stars2%2%
1 star2%2%

Customer feedback describes the book as touching and emotionally affecting, with praise for its content, story and compassionate theme. This positive response fits the listing’s focus on Joey’s discovery of sign language and the chimpanzee’s uncertain future. Aggregate ratings are also broadly favorable, though ratings alone do not explain individual readers’ reasons.

Positive themes

Customer feedback highlights the emotional impact and story.

Frequently asked questions

What is Hurt Go Happy about?

Joey, a deaf teenager who has not been allowed to learn sign language, meets a man and his baby chimpanzee and begins learning to sign. Her friendships grow as the chimpanzee’s future becomes uncertain.

What age range is listed for this edition?

The listing gives a reading age of 10–14 years and a grade level of 5–9.

What Kindle accessibility and reading features are listed?

Screen Reader is supported, Enhanced typesetting and Page Flip are enabled, and X-Ray and Word Wise are not enabled.