Kuya and The Caddy: The Arrival

by Melvin J. A. Mendoza

Kuva and The Caddy Forty years after high school, Barney Basco embarks on a nine-hour drive back to Long Island for his class reunion, his past riding shotgun. Behind the wheel of a restored 1976 Cadillac Coupe DeVille like the one his father once proudly owned, each mile peels back layers of memory-of growing up as the only Filipino family in an upper-middle-class Italian and Jewish neighborhood, of riding the tightrope between cultures, and of the unshakable bonds of family, friendship, and faith that shaped him. Set against the vibrant backdrop of 1980s Long Island-where MTV, BMX bikes, and street hockey defined youth-Barney's journey is more than just a trip home. It's a reckoning with guilt, grace, and the false belief that identity is something we define on our own. In the process, he comes to realize that discovering who you are isn't nearly as important as discovering who God created you to be. A heartfelt coming-of-age novel, Kuya and the Caddy is a nostalgic ride through the past, powered by the people, places, and quiet miracles that shape who we become-especially those who believe in us long before we believe in ourselves.

155 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 3, 2025

Reviews

[Elizabeth Foshaug · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Kuya and The Caddy, Melvin J. A. Mendoza relates the story of Barney Basco through Barney's adult eyes on a nostalgic trip to his childhood roots. Melvin doesn't sugar-coat the nostalgia but allows us to see our own teenage struggles and how finding the one who sees our potential before we can see us, helps us to find how we can grow, where we belong and ultimately find love and grace.

[mattrh · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Such a great story!!! Anyone who has been to HS can relate. It had me laughing and crying, (sometimes at the same time) and rooting for the underdog! Definitely recommend.

[Sean Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book that make you laugh and draw you near to God. Thank you Mel.