Growing Up Filipino: Stories for
Young Adults
Edited
by Cecilia Brainard
US Edition: PALH, 2003, softcover, 283 pages, ISBN 0971945802Philippine Edition: Anvil, softcover, 288 pages, ISBN 971271425X
Finalist National Book Awards Anthology Division in 2005
Available in Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Filipino-Stories-Adults/dp/0971945802/
Available in Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Filipino-Stories-Adults-ebook/dp/B007HEXPDQ/
This collection of 29 stories, the first publication of PALH (Philippine American Literary House) received critical acclaim. Written by established and emerging writers, the book delves into universal but at the same time personal themes of how it is to grow up Filipino. It remains in print and is used by many educators in their classrooms.
Praise
“Cecilia Manguerra Brainard has collected a dazzling and impressive array of 29 stories about the saga of what it means to be young and Filipino. The authors make the experiences of ordinary young people come alive for us. The strength of the collaborative approach in this volume lies in its individual examples, for the best way to construct a picture of growing up Filipino is by specific reference to their lives. The structure of the book is simple enough. Each story is assigned to a theme and there are five of them: family, angst, friendship, love, and home.
“This volume is indeed about magic, mysteries, sadness, time, family, fear, and happiness of young adult Filipinos. But in exploring these arenas the authors, each a born storyteller and philosopher, collectively capture the natural and social tapestry of the Philippines and Filipino culture and those forces that influence it. Their use of the language with all its idioms, narrative intervals and cadences leaves no doubt about the complexities of the historical, social, cultural, gender and racial terrain of modern Filipino culture. It is hard to resist one more comment. Despite the book's sub-title, this is also a book for adults. They too will profit from what is a truthful, passionate, hopeful -- and ultimately -- a very wise book. Kudos to Brainard and the other writers for this important contribution to Filipino/Filipino-American history and culture. This is a powerfully achieved and memorable book by authors who know their craft, and who also have a profound understanding and love for the Philippines and things Filipino.” (Roger N. Buckley, Professor of History and Director, Asian American Studies Institute, University of Connecticut)
“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.” (School Library Journal)
“Emerging and established award-winning writers are the authors of this fine collection of 29 stories about what it means to be young and Filipino in the Philippines and in the United States. Filipinos in America are now the second largest in the umbrella group of Asian Americans, yet there is a scarcity of books by and for Filipinos. This impressive array captures the complexities of both the Filipino culture and history and the realities of the lives of young adults no matter what their ethnic affiliation. Each story is assigned to one of five universal themes: family, angst, friendship, love, and home.” (Glenna Sloan, Bookbird Journal International. Children's Literature, IBBY)
Excerpt
https://cbrainard.blogspot.com/2018/08/fiction-cecilia-brainards-last-moon.html
Book Reviews
Booklist, April 15, 2003
https://cbrainard.blogspot.com/2017/06/booklist-review-of-cecilia-brainards.html
MELUS, Spring 2004
https://cbrainard.blogspot.com/2018/08/book-review-of-cecilia-brainards_85.html
Multicultural Review, September 2003
https://cbrainard.blogspot.com/2018/08/book-review-of-cecilia-brainards_21.html
Alfred Yuson Reviews for Philippine Star, April 28, 2003
https://cbrainard.blogspot.com/2018/08/book-review-of-cecilia-brainards_81.html
Linda Kintanar Alburo Reviews for Freeman Magazine, July 2003
https://cbrainard.blogspot.com/2018/08/book-review-of-cecilia-brainards_67.html
Growing Up Filipino is part of the History/Social Science Literature List compiled by the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Growing Up Filipino is in the Multicultural List of SLJ.com, a service of School Library Journal
Growing Up Filipino is used as textbook in Skyline College, English 846, Instructor Liza Erpelo, Skyline College, San Bruno, CA
Growing Up Filipino is in the collection of following libraries and more:
UNITED STATES
East Lansing Public Library (elpl.org), Michigan, 950 Abbott Road, East Lansing, Michigan,
Juneau Public Libraries, 292 Marine Way, Juneau, Alaska 99801; (907) 586 - 5249
City of Lavergne Library, 5063 Murfreesboro Road, Lavergne, TN 37086; (615) 793-7303
Los Angeles Public Library, check the various branches, or try Central Library 630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles, CA 90071; (213) 228-7000
Mission College Library 3000 Mission College Boulevard Santa Clara, CA 95054-1897; (408) 988-2200
The National Library for the Blind and Handicapped (NLS), 1291 Taylor Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, Toll-Free: 1-888-NLS-READ; (1-888-657-7323) to connect to a local library
Pasadena Public Library, Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St, Pasadena, CA 91109; (626) 744-4066
Plymouth District Library, 223 S. Main Street, Plymouth, MI, 48170-1687; (734) 453-0750
San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102; (415) 557-4400 · webmail@sfpl.org
Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98104
Skyline College Library, 3300 College Drive, San Bruno CA 94066-1698; (650) 738-4100
CANADA
Calgary Public Library, check the various branches, or the Central Library 616 Macleod Trail SE, T2G 2M2, (403) 260-2600
Edmunton Public Library, check the various branches, or try Stanley A. Milner Library (Downtown), 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square, T5J 2V4, Canada, (780)-496-7000
PHILIPPINES
Cebu Normal University Library, Cebu City, Philippines
Miriam College, Quezon City, Philippines