Growing Up Filipino II: More Stories for Young Adults
Edited by
Cecilia Manguerra Brainard
PALH,
2010, softcover, 258 pages ISBN 978-0-9719458-3-8
PALH,
2010, hardcover, 258 pages ISBN 978-0-9719458-2-1
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Description
Growing Up Filipino II: More Stories for Young Adults is the second volume of the Growing Up Filipino series by PALH. In this collection of 27 short
stories, Filipino and Filipino American writers explore the universal
challenges and experiences of Filipino teens after the historic events of 9/11.
The modern demands do not hinder Filipino youth from dealing with the universal
concerns of growing up: family, friends, love, home, budding sexuality, leaving
home. The delightful stories are written by well-known as well as emerging
writers. While the target audience of this fine anthology is young adults, the
stories can be enjoyed by adult readers as well. The anthology remains in print
and is used by many educators.
Praise
“This
collection of 27 short stories, the follow-up to the critically acclaimed Growing Up Filipino (PALH, 2003),
reflects the impact of post-9/11 wartime sensibilities among Filipino writers
living in the Philippines, the United States, and Canada. Although similar
topics of family, memoir, and coming-of-age thread through both collections,
the pieces are not grouped by theme, but nevertheless weave a constantly
shifting tapestry of Filipino identity. The challenges and conflicts of unique
ancestry and struggles for identity provide a rich background for modern urban
realism. The brittle memoirs reflected in ‘Here in the States,’ ‘Nurse Rita,’
and ‘Hammer Lounge”; original legend in ‘A Season of 10,000 Noses’; and
breathtaking tragedy in ‘How My Mother Flew,’ among others, are compelling
reading. Some selections have terse, spare language; others are almost
commonplace in their apparent simplicity; all capture moments and nuances of
the modern Filipino experience that will envelop readers.
Brainard has again selected powerful, evocative stories of family: of promises and disappointment, failure and resentment, tenacious and all-consuming love, anxiety and transcendent hope. There is plenty here to stimulate discussion and encourage an appreciation of Filipino writing and culture. This anthology is a worthy successor to the first volume and has appeal to an audience beyond high school literature courses.” (School Library Journal)
Brainard has again selected powerful, evocative stories of family: of promises and disappointment, failure and resentment, tenacious and all-consuming love, anxiety and transcendent hope. There is plenty here to stimulate discussion and encourage an appreciation of Filipino writing and culture. This anthology is a worthy successor to the first volume and has appeal to an audience beyond high school literature courses.” (School Library Journal)
“This
collection of 27 stories--of growing up Filipino in the Philippines, in the
United States, in Canada--presents adolescents grappling, with some confusion
and anxiety, about their place as affected by social and cultural mobility that
separate and also enclose them. These are stories of discoveries about the
young self at the brink of adulthood; of longing for a once-comfortable past,
of fears arising from present economic hardships which threaten the future; of
loneliness in family gatherings and in school, of racism, single
parenthood…These are impeccable stories in range of subject matter and modes of
narration: part of the story of the Philippines and wherever Filipinos live;
part of the world's story.” (Linda Ty-Casper, Novelist)
“Every
story in this collection authentically captures the interdependence of
society-at-large and some individual's growth, within extended families, both
natural and ritual. (Leonard Casper, Professor Emeritus, American Studies,
Boston College)
“When
read collectively, these stories become an embodiment of the Philippine mosaic,
to highlight the fluidity of Filipino/American identity.” (Rocio G. Davis, Associate
Professor of American Literature, University of Navarre)
Book Reviews
School
Library Journal, May 1, 2010
Cha: An
Asian Literary Journal, September 2010
You Tube Links: Readings by some contributors of Growing Up Filipino II
YouTube - Veronica Montes Reads from Growing Up Filipino II
YouTube - Rashaan Alexis Meneses Reads from Growing Up Filipino II
YouTube - Amalia Bueno's Story in Growing Up Filipino II (read by Barbara Jane Reyes)
YouTube- Marianne Villanueva Reads from Growing Up Filipino II
YouTube - Tony Robles Reads from Growing Up Filipino II