The illustrations range from comics to more fleshed-out drawings. Just like Happyface’s writing, they can be whimsical, thoughtful, boyishly sarcastic, off-the-cuff, or achingly beautiful. The best exhibit hints of all of the above.

Happyface, Starred Review, Publisher’s Weekly

 

Also writer of the graphic novel Emo Boy, he has mastered the voice of the awkward adolescent male. This could be a reference for anyone who has ever asked, ‘What do teen boys think?’

Happyface, Starred Review, VOYA

 

Happyface’s journal is insightful, poignant, and hilarious, with illustrations bolstering an already strong voice and story about a character readers will come to love.

Happyface, Starred Review, VOYA

 

Compelling, honest and true—this musing about art and self-discovery, replete with pitch-perfect dialogue, will have wide appeal.

Winter Town, Starred Review, Kirkus

 

Emond gives such deep, insightful glimpses into the minds and hearts of these two teens that it is easy to forget he is writing in third person.

Winter Town, starred review, VOYA

 

Most impressive in this emotionally charged novel is the way each of the characters is fully imagined; they emerge as complex individuals who are shaped by a variety of factors and are not portrayed as simple heroes or villains.

Bright Lights Dark Nights, Starred Review, Kirkus

 

The fictional East Bridge comes to life in Emond’s gorgeous, inky, noir-infused cityscapes, and the richly imagined inhabitants add verisimilitude to the novel.

Bright Lights, Dark Nights, Booklist

 

The story focuses on Walter trying to reconcile reality with the way he has been raised to see the world and Emond handles it authentically, including making it clear that Walter is just starting to understand the bigger issues like his own privilege.

Bright Lights, Dark Nights, School Library Journal