Growing Up Filipino: Stories for Young Adults [Paperback]

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 3, 2003

In this fine short-story collection, 29 Filipino American writers explore the universal challenges of adolescence from the unique perspectives of teens in the Philippines or in the U.S. Organized into five sections--Family, Angst, Friendship, Love, and Home--all the stories are about growing up and what the introduction calls "growing into Filipino-ness, growing with Filipinos, and growing in or growing away from the Philippines."... The stories are delightful! (Booklist)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-These 29 short stories offer a highly textured portrait of Filipino youth and an excellent sampling of creative writing. Thematically arranged, most of the pieces have been written since the turn of the 21st century. Each story is introduced by a thumbnail sketch of the author and a paragraph or two about some element of Filipino culture or history that is relevant to the story. Authors include those born and continuing to live in the Philippines, emigres, and American-born Filipinos. Tough but relevant topics addressed include a gay youth's affection for his supportive mother, the role of religious didacticism in the formation of a childhood perception, consumer culture as it is experienced by modern teens in Manila, and coping with bullies of all ages and stations in life. While the introduction seems more appropriate to graduate school than high school students, and the layout and book design are not attractive, there is much here to merit consideration. There are more Filipinos living in the U.S. than most people realize, but finding literature reflective of their experiences is difficult. The high caliber and broad but wholly accessible range of this collection, however, makes this title a solid purchase for multiple reasons.
Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 9-12. In this fine short-story collection, 29 Filipino American writers explore the universal challenges of adolescence from the unique perspectives of teens in the Philippines or in the U.S. Organized into five sections--Family, Angst, Friendship, Love, and Home--all the stories are about growing up and what the introduction calls "growing into Filipino-ness, growing with Filipinos, and growing in or growing away from the Philippines." The stories are introduced by the authors, who illustrate the teenage experience as they remember it or as they wish to explain it to the reader--whether the focus is the death of a grandparent, budding sexuality, or going to the mall. The cultural flavor aspect never overwhelms the stories, and readers will be drawn to the particulars as well as the universal concerns of family, friends, love, and leaving home. While the stories are fairly easy to read, teens might be intimidated by the dense book design and small type. Take the time to help them overcome this. The stories are delightful! Frances Bradburn
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: PALH (March 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971945802
• ISBN-13: 978-0971945807
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #376,929 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard is the award-winning author and editor of over a dozen books, including the internationally-acclaimed novel, When the Rainbow Goddess Wept, Magdalena, Acapulco at Sunset and other Stories, Woman With Horns and Other Stories, Philippine Woman in America, and Cecilia's Diary 1962-1968. Her recent book is Vigan and Other Stories. She also co-authored Angelica's Daughters. She edited and co-edited Growing Up Filipino I and Growing Up Filipino II, Fiction by Filipinos in America, Contemporary Fiction by Filipinos in America, and others. Her work has been translated into Finnish and Turkish. Born and raised in the Philippines, she currently resides in California. She visits the Philippines regularly. Her website is ceciliabrainard.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening, September 3, 2003

By 

Jeanie MacDonald (Long Beach, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Growing Up Filipino: Stories for Young Adults (Paperback)

I read this book to my grandson and realized the emotions stemming from difficult times and family matters are universal. There are so many diverse races in today's classrooms. This book helped him see beyond his own little corner of the world. I highly recommend it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars REVIEW BY BOOKLIST 4/15/2003, August 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Growing Up Filipino: Stories for Young Adults (Paperback)

In this fine short-story collection, 29 Filipino American writers explore the universal challenges of adolescence from the unique perspectives of teens in the Philippines or the U.S. Organized into 5 sections - Family, Angst, Friendship, Love, and Home - all the stories are about growing up and what the introduction calls "growing into Filipino-ness, growing with Filipinos, and growing in or growing away from the Philippines." The stories are introduced by the authors, who illustrate the teenage experience as they remember it or as they wish to explain it to the reader - whether the focus is the death of a grandparent, budding sexuality, or going to the mall. The cultural flavor aspect never overwhelms the stories, and readers will be drawn to the particulars as well as the universal concerns of family, friends, love, and leaving home. While the stories are fairly easy to read, teens might be intimidated by the dense book design and small type. Take the time to help them overcome this. The stories are delightful!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A much needed anthology for adolescents as well as adults, September 15, 2003

By 

Elizabeth Allen (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Growing Up Filipino: Stories for Young Adults (Paperback)

These twenty nine stories give us a much needed look into the multi-faceted journey of Filipino youth coming of age in this society. These tales are full of humor, fear, sadness and love of family and their culture. Over the course of time in the development of this country we have heard from diverse immigrant groups about their struggles to find a sense of belonging here. It is time to hear the voice of the Filipino community. I think this would be an ideal book for teachers to introduce to all their students.