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Freddie vs. the Family Curse
In this thrilling and hilarious middle grade adventure, a young Filipino-American boy must team up with his ancestor to break the curse that’s haunted their family for generations. . . or be trapped in an amulet forever.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2022
27 people are currently reading
4594 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Badua
11 books186 followersTracy Badua is an award-winning Filipino American author of books about young people with sunny hearts in a sometimes stormy world. By day, she is an attorney who works in national housing policy, and by night, she squeezes in writing, family time, and bites of her secret candy stash. She lives in San Diego, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
May 9, 2022
Love this book! It's compelling and magical, and so so funny! Kids will love it and root for Freddie on his journey to improving his luck and understanding his family's past. Highly recommend
August 18, 2023
This book was utterly delightful! I usually don't enjoy extremely lighthearted stories, but this one just had so much heart and entertained me all the way to the end that I can't really think of anything I didn't like about it. I love how authentic the Filipino cultural and historical references are in here and while they aren't necessarily a focal point of the story, they certainly enrich it and add much needed magic to what could have been just a simple straightforward story. I highly recommend this if you are looking for a lighthearted plot-driven story.
April 24, 2022
This is 1 of my most highly anticipated releases. What an adventure of a story full of so much heart. This was such an intriguing story, & the whole idea of this family curse hooked me from the start. Add in the amulet & everything having to do with THAT-so gripping! The whole backstory of the family & the amulet was fascinating, & loved it all. Freddie took my heart right away. He’s such a sweet kid, who has had a rough hand dealt to him. School is hard enough, but for this poor kid? An embarrassing nightmare. The author makes you love him & feel such empathy for him so well with her amazing writing, & so you are cheering him on the whole way. I loved the cousin relationship in here, & their dynamic is the best. The humor was so good too! I absolutely loved Ramon, & Freddie’s great-grandmother Apong Rosing. They definitely have my heart. The ending was PHENOMENAL! Every. Single. Part. Loved the Filipino history & traditions included in here, as well as some WWII history that was heartbreaking, & I learned for the 1st time-which yet again shows they are not teaching every important part of history in school. This is full of family, friendship, adventure, humor, folklore, culture, & heart. There’s even breakdancing & a Las Vegas road-trip! So many things in here adding more depth & layers of awesomeness to the story. Great lessons in here as well, including you can’t let fear run your life. Curse or no curse, life can be hard sometimes. There’s nothing you can do about it, but do the best you can. This comes out May 3rd & I highly recommend it! BEAUTIFUL cover by Alane Grace too!💜
August 21, 2022
I'm very pleasantly surprised by how much I adored this! Freddie vs. the Family Curse is a tender, precious story about a young Filipino-American boy summoning his courage and finally taking ownership of his destiny.
Final impressions:
• When I read this particular line - "Look with your eyes, not with your mouth, Freddie." - early on in the book, I knew that it would deliver the Filipino parent-child dynamic I craved. (And I was right!)
• In his quest to break a generational curse, Freddie also reconnects with his family's past and culture in the process - which I thoroughly enjoyed.
• The bad luck situations that Freddie often found himself in (such as running out of glue for an important project) evoked similar feelings of frustration and anxiety in me, which allowed me to easily sympathize and relate to his character. After all, don't we all get a little irritated on off-days?
• The way that Filipino superstition was integrated into this story was so great, and I particularly liked that Freddie's lola is shown to be both superstitious and religious (as many of them are).
• Some darker parts of Filipino history are touched on (such as war and Japanese colonization in the Philippines), but in a way that doesn't interrupt the overall fun, lighthearted, and hopeful atmosphere of the book.
What a refreshing take on a story centering a clumsy kid, where our hero's clumsiness is mostly due to a family curse passed down generations. It almost feels a little subversive. And the way that this story unfolds will have so many readers easily rooting for Freddie. I know I certainly did!
Final verdict? Highly recommended!
🌻🍃 More bookish content on Shut up, Shealea 🍃🌻
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Final impressions:
• When I read this particular line - "Look with your eyes, not with your mouth, Freddie." - early on in the book, I knew that it would deliver the Filipino parent-child dynamic I craved. (And I was right!)
• In his quest to break a generational curse, Freddie also reconnects with his family's past and culture in the process - which I thoroughly enjoyed.
• The bad luck situations that Freddie often found himself in (such as running out of glue for an important project) evoked similar feelings of frustration and anxiety in me, which allowed me to easily sympathize and relate to his character. After all, don't we all get a little irritated on off-days?
• The way that Filipino superstition was integrated into this story was so great, and I particularly liked that Freddie's lola is shown to be both superstitious and religious (as many of them are).
• Some darker parts of Filipino history are touched on (such as war and Japanese colonization in the Philippines), but in a way that doesn't interrupt the overall fun, lighthearted, and hopeful atmosphere of the book.
What a refreshing take on a story centering a clumsy kid, where our hero's clumsiness is mostly due to a family curse passed down generations. It almost feels a little subversive. And the way that this story unfolds will have so many readers easily rooting for Freddie. I know I certainly did!
Final verdict? Highly recommended!
🌻🍃 More bookish content on Shut up, Shealea 🍃🌻
instagram • pinterest • twitter • ko-fi
April 1, 2023
I read this for the Cybils YA/children’s literature award. While I liked it well enough and the setting/characters (Filipino-Americans) were new and interesting to me, I also knew that it wasn’t going to receive the award, so I abandoned it about half way to make sure I finished the others on the short list. I finally got back to it to finish it.
I think my biggest problem was with the narrator. I couldn’t listen to it at original speed (something I rarely do past the first few minutes anymore anyway), but at a tolerable speed, it just seemed too hysterical or over-excited. So at original speed it would have been slow dragged out hysteria. Uff!The narrator’s voice for the girl side-kick sounded like she was screaming all the time. It’s hard not to let that influence your feelings about a book as a whole. And in this case it was a shame. The story was not so bad, but the problems and dilemmas were repeated waaay too often. It would’ve made a much better short story.
I think my biggest problem was with the narrator. I couldn’t listen to it at original speed (something I rarely do past the first few minutes anymore anyway), but at a tolerable speed, it just seemed too hysterical or over-excited. So at original speed it would have been slow dragged out hysteria. Uff!The narrator’s voice for the girl side-kick sounded like she was screaming all the time. It’s hard not to let that influence your feelings about a book as a whole. And in this case it was a shame. The story was not so bad, but the problems and dilemmas were repeated waaay too often. It would’ve made a much better short story.
August 5, 2022
actual rating: 3.5 stars
rep: filipino-american MC and SCs
all his life, freddie’s family is cursed. for some reason, the ruiz are the unluckiest people in town but freddie and his great-grandmother are the only ones who believed in the curse. when freddie finds his great-granduncle trapped in an amulet, his countdown immediately started. according to ramon, he died thirteen days after he got the anting-anting and so will freddie.
freddie finds out the origin of the family curse with his cousin, sharkey. ramon wasn’t too upfront with how he got the anting-anting at first. however, with each accident related to freddie started ramping up in intensity, ramon had to speak the truth. his story is connected to world war two when he was fighting alongside his best friend, igno.
freddie had been afraid of what the curse would perpetuate and that led to him refusing to step out of his boundaries and try new things. he’s using the curse as an excuse. what if he gets laughed at again by everyone? he’s already called “faceplant freddie” in school. his social status isn’t great and people avoid him so that they don’t get injured by him. but freddie soon realises that life is just like that sometimes and it might not have to do with the curse.
while i did enjoy the whole story, i think the pacing wasn’t too smooth. things moved too fast during the whole las vegas trip. it felt too rushed and i wished that more was done during the whole forgiveness part. regardless, i still liked freddie vs. the family curse. p.s. i really liked apong rosing, she’s the best. also, that last goodbye between her and ramon broke me a little.
rep: filipino-american MC and SCs
all his life, freddie’s family is cursed. for some reason, the ruiz are the unluckiest people in town but freddie and his great-grandmother are the only ones who believed in the curse. when freddie finds his great-granduncle trapped in an amulet, his countdown immediately started. according to ramon, he died thirteen days after he got the anting-anting and so will freddie.
freddie finds out the origin of the family curse with his cousin, sharkey. ramon wasn’t too upfront with how he got the anting-anting at first. however, with each accident related to freddie started ramping up in intensity, ramon had to speak the truth. his story is connected to world war two when he was fighting alongside his best friend, igno.
freddie had been afraid of what the curse would perpetuate and that led to him refusing to step out of his boundaries and try new things. he’s using the curse as an excuse. what if he gets laughed at again by everyone? he’s already called “faceplant freddie” in school. his social status isn’t great and people avoid him so that they don’t get injured by him. but freddie soon realises that life is just like that sometimes and it might not have to do with the curse.
”Sometimes it’s not about luck. Sometimes it’s about skill, about smarts. You can’t use the curse as an excuse for all the bad things that happen to you. You can’t use it as an excuse not to try.”
while i did enjoy the whole story, i think the pacing wasn’t too smooth. things moved too fast during the whole las vegas trip. it felt too rushed and i wished that more was done during the whole forgiveness part. regardless, i still liked freddie vs. the family curse. p.s. i really liked apong rosing, she’s the best. also, that last goodbye between her and ramon broke me a little.
December 15, 2021
I loved everything about Freddie - so much so that I've read it 4 times!
There is so much humor and heart in this story and I've only enjoyed it more with every read. It's such a wonderful tale of family, ancestral connections, and mythology come to life, not to mention it has a breakdancing competition and its own trading card game.
Tracy's writing is so fun and bingeable, and I can't wait to have a copy of this book in my hands so I can read it again!
There is so much humor and heart in this story and I've only enjoyed it more with every read. It's such a wonderful tale of family, ancestral connections, and mythology come to life, not to mention it has a breakdancing competition and its own trading card game.
Tracy's writing is so fun and bingeable, and I can't wait to have a copy of this book in my hands so I can read it again!
March 5, 2024
Faceplant Freddie is cursed with bad luck that runs through his family. He literally stumbles upon a coin in the garage that holds the spirit of his great uncle Ramon, the one who brought the curse upon the family. Hijinks ensue as Freddie tries to find the coin’s original owner and break the curse. Fun assortment of characters and action. Love the Ruiz family motto: It isn’t about luck. Sometimes it’s just life.
May 15, 2022
trigger warning
Freddy finds something shiny in the garage and picks it up, puts it in his pocket and forgets it - until it turns out he accidentally activated it and has thirteen days to break an old curse or he'll die.
This one is inspired by Fillipino mythology and you know the drill, I am a white person with no particular knowledge of this flavour of religion and myths. You need to look elsewhere for verification if the contents of this book fit the bill.
Freddy is kind of Neville Longbottom with a pinch of Goofy: Everything he touches explodes, melts, or does something else to embarass him, preferrably in front of his peers. It's been always like this, and it seems to run in the family. His grandmother tells him it's a curse, his father tells him they went to America for a reason and they have to ignore old superstitions to fit in.
His cousin tells him to please don't drag her into his messes.
Freddy doesn't really know what to believe, but he constantly tries to sneak in good luck charms from various cultures, because it's not as if he has anything to loose, but his mom always picks up on it, rolls her eyes and confiscates the items in question.
Then, one day, Freddy finds a coin which leads to him meeting the ghost of an ancestor, who tells him they have to work together and oh by the way, there is a deadline, in the truest meaning of the word.
Some heavy topics concerning WWII get mentioned, but only in passing. This could be a great starting point for some research.
It was a fun adventure, and I am sure that if I were in the target audience I would have adored it, especially if I were not only in the relevant age but also had some ties to Fillipino culture. As it is, I had fun to get a peek into another set of beliefs, and I really, really enjoy middlegrade fantasy based on different cultures.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
Freddy finds something shiny in the garage and picks it up, puts it in his pocket and forgets it - until it turns out he accidentally activated it and has thirteen days to break an old curse or he'll die.
This one is inspired by Fillipino mythology and you know the drill, I am a white person with no particular knowledge of this flavour of religion and myths. You need to look elsewhere for verification if the contents of this book fit the bill.
Freddy is kind of Neville Longbottom with a pinch of Goofy: Everything he touches explodes, melts, or does something else to embarass him, preferrably in front of his peers. It's been always like this, and it seems to run in the family. His grandmother tells him it's a curse, his father tells him they went to America for a reason and they have to ignore old superstitions to fit in.
His cousin tells him to please don't drag her into his messes.
Freddy doesn't really know what to believe, but he constantly tries to sneak in good luck charms from various cultures, because it's not as if he has anything to loose, but his mom always picks up on it, rolls her eyes and confiscates the items in question.
Then, one day, Freddy finds a coin which leads to him meeting the ghost of an ancestor, who tells him they have to work together and oh by the way, there is a deadline, in the truest meaning of the word.
Some heavy topics concerning WWII get mentioned, but only in passing. This could be a great starting point for some research.
It was a fun adventure, and I am sure that if I were in the target audience I would have adored it, especially if I were not only in the relevant age but also had some ties to Fillipino culture. As it is, I had fun to get a peek into another set of beliefs, and I really, really enjoy middlegrade fantasy based on different cultures.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
May 4, 2022
REPRESENTATION MATTERS. This was such a fun book about a young Filipino boy who struggles not only with the normal middle school issues of popularity and grades, but a family curse on top of it all! As someone who's been so used to not seeing my culture or heritage really represented in stories or movies, I loved the way Tracy just casually included elements that I remember from my Filipino upbringing. (The banana ketchup! "Look with your eyes, not with your mouth." The worry that your leftovers lunch will alienate you from the other kids at school.) At the same time, she acknowledged the challenges many of us face in finding the balance between honoring our heritage while trying to "fit in." This is a fantastic book, not just for young Filpino/a/x kids, but for everyone to understand the importance of that balance. Plus, it's just honestly fun and enjoyable to read.
DISCLAIMER: I am friends with the author in real life, but I promise that didn't influence this review (other than the fact that I got really excited to be indirectly mentioned in the acknowledgments).
DISCLAIMER: I am friends with the author in real life, but I promise that didn't influence this review (other than the fact that I got really excited to be indirectly mentioned in the acknowledgments).
May 27, 2022
Balancing funny antics, heartbreaking histories, and a fast-paced plot, I was gripped by this story from beginning to end. The premise of this book is perfect, and Badua executes on it with such skill as to seem effortless. We follow poor Freddie, whose family has been cursed with minor inconveniences for generations. For him it manifests as clumsiness and a tendency to get into scrapes that usually result in embarrassment -- what could be worse for a middle-schooler? --but it has also resulted in tanking his self confidence. It's tough to put yourself out there and to try new things when everything always goes wrong. When he finds the amulet which is the source of the family curse, he teams up with his cousin Sharkie, his Apong Rosing, and the spirit of his great-uncle Ramon to track down someone wronged by their family a century ago. Freddie's Filipino family is the heart of this story, with a lot of their quips making me laugh out loud, and curse stories are always compelling to me, especially when breaking the curse is tied to the hero's personal growth. Freddie, and readers, will learn a lot about life's challenges both big and small, laughing along the way.
July 13, 2022
A really fun adventure that asks the question, how far will you go to break a family curse?
Freddie has always had bad luck. And so has his entire family. When he finds a mysterious coin in his garage, he also finds the ghost of his great uncle Ramon. With Ramon’s help, he must break his family’s curse before it’s too late-and Freddie becomes a ghost himself.
Full of loveable, fun characters. This was a really great middle grade read. I’m so glad I bought it for my school library.
Freddie has always had bad luck. And so has his entire family. When he finds a mysterious coin in his garage, he also finds the ghost of his great uncle Ramon. With Ramon’s help, he must break his family’s curse before it’s too late-and Freddie becomes a ghost himself.
Full of loveable, fun characters. This was a really great middle grade read. I’m so glad I bought it for my school library.
September 26, 2022
A super cute adventure trying to break a generations-old curse with a cousin, great-grandma, and the ghost of a great-great-uncle. Oh, and a host of bad luck!
February 2, 2024
This is was cute. I liked the history thrown in
October 29, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Freddie Ruiz has always had bad luck; it's why he is called "Faceplant Freddie". He keeps his head down, moves carefully, and limits his interests to RoboWarriors gaming cards. His great grandmother, Apong Rosing, tells him it is because of a family curse that occurred back during World War II, when she lived in the Philippines and her older brother, Ramon, became a soldier and was killed in battle. His cousin, Sharkey, lives next door, and since she is a Mendoza, she has perfectly fine luck, and is an excellent break dancer who works with the Wyld Beats dance crew at their school. When Freddie finds an amulet in the garage while looking for glue for a school project (he's run out; that's how his luck goes!), he is surprised when it comes to life and holds the spirit of his great uncle Ramon! He finds out that Ramon stole the amulet for luck from his best friend, Ingo Agustin, before going on the mission during which he was killed, and that the family has suffered under Agustin's curse. Freddie has 13 days to find Ingo and have him remove the curse or the spirits will kill him! He and Sharkey try to research, but it's hard to find a 97 year old former soldier who may or may not have survived the war! Luckily, they track him down in Nevada, which is a bit too far from their San Diego home to take an Uber when he refuses to talk to them. Sharkey is supposed to compete in a break dancing competition in Las Vegas, but when she sprains her ankle due to Freddie's bad luck, the two decide that Freddie will take her place so they can travel there and stay in a hotel thanks to Wyld Beats sponsorship. The leader of the team, Dale, is very apprehensive, but Freddie works hard and doesn't do too badly, and challenges Dale to a RoboWarriors match to seal his place on the team. Apong Rosing decides she wants to go to the competition as well, and they are soon on their way. Time is of the essence, since the evil spirits are closing in, and the children manage to make it by bus to the Oasis nursing home where Ingo lives. They must create a distraction when the staff won't let them see Ingo, and this involves breakdancing which actually sets a few things on fire! Will they be able to find Ingo and discover the true nature of the curse, and get him to remove it?
Strengths: This was the perfect balance of a lot of things. It had some social issues, since Freddie has some anxiety about his constant embarrassment. There's the cultural connection with a rich background of Filipino history and family traditions. There's even a little WWII history with the Bataan Death March. The inclusion of breakdancing was absolutely perfect, since break dancing is going to be included as a sport in the 2024 Olympics. Combine all of these things with funny scenes, a road trip, and a thread of self acceptance and personal growth, and this is an absolute winner. The short length helps, and the cover looks fun. There are a huge number of students to whom I can hand this. Definitely worthy of a Kirkus starred review.
Weaknesses: The trip to Las Vegas, and Freddie's very quick inclusion in it, seemed a bit unlikely, but then I'm an adult worried about permission slips and logistics. Children are not going to worry about this, and the spirit deadline doesn't give Freddie much choice!
What I really think: This was such a huge relief to read after ingesting a large number of lyrical, socially relevant, timely stories. It's possible to address these needs and include cultural content while still having a book that is a bit more light hearted and positive. After all, the information about the Filipino involvement in World War II is pretty dire, but it's handled in such an interesting and (dare I say it?) sweet way that what I took away from this was Ingo's spirit of forgiveness and the Ruiz's determination to move on after tragedy. Definitely my favorite book this month.
Freddie Ruiz has always had bad luck; it's why he is called "Faceplant Freddie". He keeps his head down, moves carefully, and limits his interests to RoboWarriors gaming cards. His great grandmother, Apong Rosing, tells him it is because of a family curse that occurred back during World War II, when she lived in the Philippines and her older brother, Ramon, became a soldier and was killed in battle. His cousin, Sharkey, lives next door, and since she is a Mendoza, she has perfectly fine luck, and is an excellent break dancer who works with the Wyld Beats dance crew at their school. When Freddie finds an amulet in the garage while looking for glue for a school project (he's run out; that's how his luck goes!), he is surprised when it comes to life and holds the spirit of his great uncle Ramon! He finds out that Ramon stole the amulet for luck from his best friend, Ingo Agustin, before going on the mission during which he was killed, and that the family has suffered under Agustin's curse. Freddie has 13 days to find Ingo and have him remove the curse or the spirits will kill him! He and Sharkey try to research, but it's hard to find a 97 year old former soldier who may or may not have survived the war! Luckily, they track him down in Nevada, which is a bit too far from their San Diego home to take an Uber when he refuses to talk to them. Sharkey is supposed to compete in a break dancing competition in Las Vegas, but when she sprains her ankle due to Freddie's bad luck, the two decide that Freddie will take her place so they can travel there and stay in a hotel thanks to Wyld Beats sponsorship. The leader of the team, Dale, is very apprehensive, but Freddie works hard and doesn't do too badly, and challenges Dale to a RoboWarriors match to seal his place on the team. Apong Rosing decides she wants to go to the competition as well, and they are soon on their way. Time is of the essence, since the evil spirits are closing in, and the children manage to make it by bus to the Oasis nursing home where Ingo lives. They must create a distraction when the staff won't let them see Ingo, and this involves breakdancing which actually sets a few things on fire! Will they be able to find Ingo and discover the true nature of the curse, and get him to remove it?
Strengths: This was the perfect balance of a lot of things. It had some social issues, since Freddie has some anxiety about his constant embarrassment. There's the cultural connection with a rich background of Filipino history and family traditions. There's even a little WWII history with the Bataan Death March. The inclusion of breakdancing was absolutely perfect, since break dancing is going to be included as a sport in the 2024 Olympics. Combine all of these things with funny scenes, a road trip, and a thread of self acceptance and personal growth, and this is an absolute winner. The short length helps, and the cover looks fun. There are a huge number of students to whom I can hand this. Definitely worthy of a Kirkus starred review.
Weaknesses: The trip to Las Vegas, and Freddie's very quick inclusion in it, seemed a bit unlikely, but then I'm an adult worried about permission slips and logistics. Children are not going to worry about this, and the spirit deadline doesn't give Freddie much choice!
What I really think: This was such a huge relief to read after ingesting a large number of lyrical, socially relevant, timely stories. It's possible to address these needs and include cultural content while still having a book that is a bit more light hearted and positive. After all, the information about the Filipino involvement in World War II is pretty dire, but it's handled in such an interesting and (dare I say it?) sweet way that what I took away from this was Ingo's spirit of forgiveness and the Ruiz's determination to move on after tragedy. Definitely my favorite book this month.
October 13, 2022
The Ruiz family has horrible luck, and for Freddie Ruiz, this means he’s always trying to stay out of trouble by keeping his head down, avoiding risks, and immersing himself in RoboWarrior gaming cards. When Freddie finds an amulet in his garage, he thinks he has finally found a good luck charm to ward off this curse, but he’s sorely mistaken when he accidentally activates the amulet and releases the spirit of his great-uncle Ramon and a 13-day countdown to doom. Now the stakes are high, as Freddie, his cousin Sharkey, and Ramon team up to break this curse, or else Freddie will join his uncle in the amulet… forever.
This book is a wonderful story of family, heritage, and culture. I absolutely adored the way Freddie -during his quest to break the curse- learns and reconnects with his Filipino culture. Author Tracy Badua wonderfully integrated Filipino mythology, superstitions, and history into the story.
Freddie’s family was the best part of this book! Their love burst from the pages of this book, and truly made my heart warm. Freddie himself was such a lovable character, and his frequent occurrences of bad luck and the struggle to fit in due to said luck made him very easy to both empathize with and relate to.
Overall, this story made for such an enjoyable and fun read! I’d highly recommend this to anyone who wants to read about loveable characters and Filipino heritage.
Reviewed by: Riya B., grade 8
This book is a wonderful story of family, heritage, and culture. I absolutely adored the way Freddie -during his quest to break the curse- learns and reconnects with his Filipino culture. Author Tracy Badua wonderfully integrated Filipino mythology, superstitions, and history into the story.
Freddie’s family was the best part of this book! Their love burst from the pages of this book, and truly made my heart warm. Freddie himself was such a lovable character, and his frequent occurrences of bad luck and the struggle to fit in due to said luck made him very easy to both empathize with and relate to.
Overall, this story made for such an enjoyable and fun read! I’d highly recommend this to anyone who wants to read about loveable characters and Filipino heritage.
Reviewed by: Riya B., grade 8
August 27, 2021
I absolutely loved this lighthearted, hilarious MG adventure! It's about a Filipino-American kid who's spent his whole life dealing with a family curse that causes bad luck. He's suffered countless embarrassing situations and awkward moments thanks to the curse, and his social life is in shambles because of it, too. But when he finds the amulet at the root of the curse, he finally gets his chance to break it - unless the curse manages to kill him first.
Freddie is such a great narrator. Engaging, clever, upbeat. And his cousin Sharkey is tough and smart, exactly the kind of girl I loved reading about as a kid (and still do). They make a great duo and were my favorite part of the book! At its core, it's a really touching story of family, forgiveness, and owning who you are. I can't say enough good things about it - I'm so excited for kids to get their hands on this.
Freddie is such a great narrator. Engaging, clever, upbeat. And his cousin Sharkey is tough and smart, exactly the kind of girl I loved reading about as a kid (and still do). They make a great duo and were my favorite part of the book! At its core, it's a really touching story of family, forgiveness, and owning who you are. I can't say enough good things about it - I'm so excited for kids to get their hands on this.
May 29, 2022
RATING:
5 STARS
Freddie is the unluckiest kid, and it’s all due to the family curse. From breaking his projects to accidentally frying the computers at school; a particularly nasty fall earned him the nickname “Faceplant Freddie”. He’s desperate to break the streak, so when he finds a “lucky amulet” in the garage it seems like fate. Freddie may have bitten off more than he can chew though because the amulet actually contains the spirit of his great uncle Ramon and he’s started a thirteen-day countdown of doom (thirteen is such an unlucky number). If he can’t break the curse in time, he will join his uncle in the amulet forever. A simple task for an unlucky kid, his cousin, and their ghostly ancestor, right? I thought so too (please note the sarcasm in that remark).
On the surface, this story is a journey to breaking the family curse, but on the way, Freddie (and Sharkey) are also learning more about the family's history. I loved how the book addressed some cultural topics and maintained the lighthearted tone and feel of the best middle-grade books I’ve read. I thoroughly enjoyed the brief intro and peek into Filipino culture. As a side note, I want to make clear that I am a white person with no personal ties to Filipino history and/or culture so I can’t comment on the authenticity of the representation in this book (Please check out the page of an #OwnVoices reviewer if you’d like that type of information).
Freddie is such a relatable character. I empathized with his embarrassment over all the mishaps the curse has caused and his nerves over doing fun kid things in the fear of the curse causing even more mishaps. I also heavily agreed with Sharkey and Ramon’s perspective on reminding Freddie that he shouldn’t let the curse hold him back and that sometimes life just sucks. Narrator Edward Mendoza delivered an A+ performance and really brought the humor in Freddie's perspective to life. I’ll have to check out other books Mr. Mendoza has narrated, cause he was absolutely hilarious.
Overall, an entertaining and heartwarming middle-grade fantasy read. I loved Tracy Badua’s debut, so I’m excited to read any other books she may publish in the future! If you like Kwame Mbalia’s Tristan Strong series or Carlos Hernandez’s Sal and Gabi books, then you should definitely check out Freddie vs. the Family Curse. I promise you won’t regret it!
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Bullying, Grief, Memory Loss
Freddie is the unluckiest kid, and it’s all due to the family curse. From breaking his projects to accidentally frying the computers at school; a particularly nasty fall earned him the nickname “Faceplant Freddie”. He’s desperate to break the streak, so when he finds a “lucky amulet” in the garage it seems like fate. Freddie may have bitten off more than he can chew though because the amulet actually contains the spirit of his great uncle Ramon and he’s started a thirteen-day countdown of doom (thirteen is such an unlucky number). If he can’t break the curse in time, he will join his uncle in the amulet forever. A simple task for an unlucky kid, his cousin, and their ghostly ancestor, right? I thought so too (please note the sarcasm in that remark).
On the surface, this story is a journey to breaking the family curse, but on the way, Freddie (and Sharkey) are also learning more about the family's history. I loved how the book addressed some cultural topics and maintained the lighthearted tone and feel of the best middle-grade books I’ve read. I thoroughly enjoyed the brief intro and peek into Filipino culture. As a side note, I want to make clear that I am a white person with no personal ties to Filipino history and/or culture so I can’t comment on the authenticity of the representation in this book (Please check out the page of an #OwnVoices reviewer if you’d like that type of information).
Freddie is such a relatable character. I empathized with his embarrassment over all the mishaps the curse has caused and his nerves over doing fun kid things in the fear of the curse causing even more mishaps. I also heavily agreed with Sharkey and Ramon’s perspective on reminding Freddie that he shouldn’t let the curse hold him back and that sometimes life just sucks. Narrator Edward Mendoza delivered an A+ performance and really brought the humor in Freddie's perspective to life. I’ll have to check out other books Mr. Mendoza has narrated, cause he was absolutely hilarious.
Overall, an entertaining and heartwarming middle-grade fantasy read. I loved Tracy Badua’s debut, so I’m excited to read any other books she may publish in the future! If you like Kwame Mbalia’s Tristan Strong series or Carlos Hernandez’s Sal and Gabi books, then you should definitely check out Freddie vs. the Family Curse. I promise you won’t regret it!
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Bullying, Grief, Memory Loss
April 19, 2022
What worked:
As the title indicates, Freddie’s family has been cursed with bad luck for generations. Most of the bad luck is simply annoying, as he runs out of glue while completing a last-minute project, breaks a printer, arrives late to class, and trips and falls flat on his face. Freddie thinks his luck may change when he finds an amulet hidden away in the garage, but the opposite is true. He activates a family curse and now has thirteen days before he dies unless he can figure out a way to stop the countdown. The story will keep readers guessing since bad luck can pop up at any time.
The amulet contains the spirit of Freddie’s great-granduncle, Ramon, and he behaves like many friendly ghosts found in other stories. He died during WW II in the Philippines and hasn’t interacted with the living for many years. He understands enough of the modern world to misinterpret situations and add humor to the book. He spends much of his time teasing Freddie before switching around to instill him with hope. Freddie’s unfortunate accidents beg the question of is this bad luck, or is it the ups and downs of everybody’s lives?
The plot becomes a mystery, as Freddie and his cousin Sharkey try to figure out a way to end the curse. Ramon is able to share some Filipino history and culture, and he finally reveals a secret that will be very helpful in Freddie’s search. Sharkey is a star on a competitive dance team, and it seems to be an unimportant side story. However, a regional tournament is coming up, and it becomes a catalyst for resolving the family jinx. It’s an unexpected twist to a middle-grade ghost mystery.
What didn’t work as well:
The imminence of Freddie’s death creates tension as the thirteen days go by, but not knowing the cause of his death leaves the foreshadowing vague. The evil spirits aren’t characters in the story, so it’s more difficult to see them as threats. Of course, it’s impossible to guess future bad luck, but having a tangible danger to consider might increase the suspense.
The Final Verdict:
Life is full of good and bad. The blend of Filipino culture, ghosts, and humor make this a very entertaining book. The countdown of the curse makes the story suspenseful while the climax brings the events to a happy ending. I recommend you give this book a shot.
As the title indicates, Freddie’s family has been cursed with bad luck for generations. Most of the bad luck is simply annoying, as he runs out of glue while completing a last-minute project, breaks a printer, arrives late to class, and trips and falls flat on his face. Freddie thinks his luck may change when he finds an amulet hidden away in the garage, but the opposite is true. He activates a family curse and now has thirteen days before he dies unless he can figure out a way to stop the countdown. The story will keep readers guessing since bad luck can pop up at any time.
The amulet contains the spirit of Freddie’s great-granduncle, Ramon, and he behaves like many friendly ghosts found in other stories. He died during WW II in the Philippines and hasn’t interacted with the living for many years. He understands enough of the modern world to misinterpret situations and add humor to the book. He spends much of his time teasing Freddie before switching around to instill him with hope. Freddie’s unfortunate accidents beg the question of is this bad luck, or is it the ups and downs of everybody’s lives?
The plot becomes a mystery, as Freddie and his cousin Sharkey try to figure out a way to end the curse. Ramon is able to share some Filipino history and culture, and he finally reveals a secret that will be very helpful in Freddie’s search. Sharkey is a star on a competitive dance team, and it seems to be an unimportant side story. However, a regional tournament is coming up, and it becomes a catalyst for resolving the family jinx. It’s an unexpected twist to a middle-grade ghost mystery.
What didn’t work as well:
The imminence of Freddie’s death creates tension as the thirteen days go by, but not knowing the cause of his death leaves the foreshadowing vague. The evil spirits aren’t characters in the story, so it’s more difficult to see them as threats. Of course, it’s impossible to guess future bad luck, but having a tangible danger to consider might increase the suspense.
The Final Verdict:
Life is full of good and bad. The blend of Filipino culture, ghosts, and humor make this a very entertaining book. The countdown of the curse makes the story suspenseful while the climax brings the events to a happy ending. I recommend you give this book a shot.
March 6, 2022
Superstitions have existed for centuries, and even though they vary from culture to culture, their effects remain constant. Twelve-year-old Freddie Ruiz is the unfortunate sufferer of a curse that has plagued his family for generations. When he discovers a long-lost anting-anting in his garage and accidentally activates it one day, Freddie is introduced to the spirit of his great-granduncle Ramon whose spirit has been trapped in a coin since his untimely death decades before. But now that the anting-anting is active, Freddie only has thirteen days to resolve the curse before he joins Ramon in his metal prison—as long as he can outrun the spirits on his tail.
This intriguing middle grade novel introduces readers to many of the thoughts and beliefs of Filipino culture through an approachable young boy who is so afraid of his family’s curse that he has chosen to distance himself from any potential danger. Of course, this means that Freddie does not participate in soccer or dancing or anything that he might enjoy, and it means that friendship is rare. As the story unfolds, Freddie finds that, though his concerns are legitimate, there is a difference between luck and life. The timeline the anting-anting provides keeps the stakes high throughout the novel, leading Freddie to make bold decisions that he might not otherwise do, while helping him realize just how much control he truly has over his life.
Middle grade readers who have ever felt themselves to be surrounded by misfortune will connect with Freddie’s plight and will consider the possibility that they may be able to affect more change in their lives than they initially thought. This realization is inspiring, encouraging hard work and bravery to attempt the things young people truly desire in their lives. Throughout the story, references to Filipino culture and Tagalog language are included, deepening readers’ connection to Freddie and his familial background. Moments of light horror appear occasionally within the narrative, as well, giving readers a spark of additional flavor to enhance Freddie’s adventure. Like a well-crafted dish, this book includes many engaging elements; it is a rich and intriguing novel to include in libraries for middle grade readers.
This intriguing middle grade novel introduces readers to many of the thoughts and beliefs of Filipino culture through an approachable young boy who is so afraid of his family’s curse that he has chosen to distance himself from any potential danger. Of course, this means that Freddie does not participate in soccer or dancing or anything that he might enjoy, and it means that friendship is rare. As the story unfolds, Freddie finds that, though his concerns are legitimate, there is a difference between luck and life. The timeline the anting-anting provides keeps the stakes high throughout the novel, leading Freddie to make bold decisions that he might not otherwise do, while helping him realize just how much control he truly has over his life.
Middle grade readers who have ever felt themselves to be surrounded by misfortune will connect with Freddie’s plight and will consider the possibility that they may be able to affect more change in their lives than they initially thought. This realization is inspiring, encouraging hard work and bravery to attempt the things young people truly desire in their lives. Throughout the story, references to Filipino culture and Tagalog language are included, deepening readers’ connection to Freddie and his familial background. Moments of light horror appear occasionally within the narrative, as well, giving readers a spark of additional flavor to enhance Freddie’s adventure. Like a well-crafted dish, this book includes many engaging elements; it is a rich and intriguing novel to include in libraries for middle grade readers.
January 18, 2023
Freddie doesn't have friends or go places out of fear of his bad luck. He believes his great-grandmother when she talks about the family curse, even though his parents think there is no such thing as bad/good luck. So he isn't totally surprised when the amulet he found in the garage turns out to be an anting-anting haunted by his great-granduncle Ramon's spirit. Now that the amulet is activated he only has 13 days to break the curse or he'll end up just like his great-granduncle.
Tracy Badua's Filipino culture is a major player in this story. Freddie and his cousin Sharkey listen to his Apong Rosing talk about Filipino folklore and learn from it, even if his parents have become so Americanized that they do not believe in it anymore. Badua doesn't shy away from tough topics like the Japanese occupation of the Philippines and the lasting impact of war. These topics are treated with the seriousness they deserve despite the overall light tone of the book. A lot of the bad luck Freddie experiences isn't serious and he is often caught talking to nothing by peers who can't see Ramon. The relationships Freddie builds throughout the books are great. He goes from an outsider to becoming more confident when speaking with people other than Sharkey.
I think I went into this book expecting a "Rick Riordan Presents" level of action and this book does not have it. The action is there but not very intense. This is a good choice for a middle grade reader who doesn't want the intensity of Rick Riordan Presents but enjoys speculative fiction or reading about Filipino characters.
Tracy Badua's Filipino culture is a major player in this story. Freddie and his cousin Sharkey listen to his Apong Rosing talk about Filipino folklore and learn from it, even if his parents have become so Americanized that they do not believe in it anymore. Badua doesn't shy away from tough topics like the Japanese occupation of the Philippines and the lasting impact of war. These topics are treated with the seriousness they deserve despite the overall light tone of the book. A lot of the bad luck Freddie experiences isn't serious and he is often caught talking to nothing by peers who can't see Ramon. The relationships Freddie builds throughout the books are great. He goes from an outsider to becoming more confident when speaking with people other than Sharkey.
I think I went into this book expecting a "Rick Riordan Presents" level of action and this book does not have it. The action is there but not very intense. This is a good choice for a middle grade reader who doesn't want the intensity of Rick Riordan Presents but enjoys speculative fiction or reading about Filipino characters.
April 24, 2022
Freddie is cursed. It's a family inheritance. Anytime he tries to do anything, his bad luck screws him up somehow. He's "Faceplant Freddie," infamous since second grade for constantly tripping, knocking things (and people) over, and for being the biggest klutz ever.
When Freddie finds an anting-anting in his garage and accidentally activates it, the Filipino good luck charm turns out to be quite the opposite. The old charm comes together with a ghost of his great uncle Ramon, the very one who'd brought the family curse upon them. With limited time to spare, and with the curse growing more lethal each day, Freddie, his cousin Sharkie, and Ramon must do all they can to break the curse and save them all.
Freddie's lived in fear of his curse all his life, unlike his neighbor/best friend/cousin, Sharkie, who is an awesome dancer and a very popular girl. Freddie has always been too scared to try anything new, but with everything going on, Freddie comes to realize that maybe not all the bad things in life are the curse's fault. After all, his family is able to get by with their jobs and their lives, even with all the bad that comes their way. Maybe he does need to take some small risks in life in order to succeed.
Sharkie and Freddie made a great team despite their differences. It was nice to read a boy-girl friendship without any romantic complications. And as bad as Freddie's curse was, the author managed to turn most of them into humorous moments for the reader. The mix of urgency, curses, Filipino-American culture, humor, and teamwork made this a fantastic read for middle grade and older readers.
When Freddie finds an anting-anting in his garage and accidentally activates it, the Filipino good luck charm turns out to be quite the opposite. The old charm comes together with a ghost of his great uncle Ramon, the very one who'd brought the family curse upon them. With limited time to spare, and with the curse growing more lethal each day, Freddie, his cousin Sharkie, and Ramon must do all they can to break the curse and save them all.
Freddie's lived in fear of his curse all his life, unlike his neighbor/best friend/cousin, Sharkie, who is an awesome dancer and a very popular girl. Freddie has always been too scared to try anything new, but with everything going on, Freddie comes to realize that maybe not all the bad things in life are the curse's fault. After all, his family is able to get by with their jobs and their lives, even with all the bad that comes their way. Maybe he does need to take some small risks in life in order to succeed.
Sharkie and Freddie made a great team despite their differences. It was nice to read a boy-girl friendship without any romantic complications. And as bad as Freddie's curse was, the author managed to turn most of them into humorous moments for the reader. The mix of urgency, curses, Filipino-American culture, humor, and teamwork made this a fantastic read for middle grade and older readers.
October 12, 2023
Freddie vs. the Family Curse by Tracy Badua is a fast-paced middle grade adventure about a young Filipino-American boy who all his life has been plagued by a generational curse which has pretty much isolated him from making friends outside of his cousin, Sharkie. He ends up finding an amulet, thinking this is going to ward off his bad luck from the curse but instead out pops the spirit of his ancestor with a warning that if he doesn’t find a way to break the curse, he’s going to be stuck in that amulet forever.
This middle grade book was such a delight. It felt like a fun, thrilling, and humorous YA version of Night at the Museum. It was also a lot more nuanced and layered than I expected. There was a sprinkling of Filipino history with a little exposition on the experiences of Freddie’s ancestors in WWII. There’s a lot of Filipino superstitious beliefs and mythology, and pop culture. I loved all the Filipino-centered humor with the cameo of banana ketchup, phrases like “look with your eyes and not your mouth,” and
The bullying he experienced, mostly because of the curse, but also because of his innate clumsiness added so much to this little boy’s anxiety and frustration about everything that I really wish I could just give him the biggest hug. He’s lived in a state of fear and was just very lonely and sad that he could really never get close to anyone cause of the curse.
I enjoyed the very accessible life lessons imparted here and the exposition on generational trauma. I also very much enjoyed how Badua expounded on horrific moments in Philippine history while making them kid-friendly. The growth of all the main characters was also very lovely to read.
I personally did not enjoy the audiobook narrator. I feel like he tried very much to sound child-like but had a very adult voice so it detracted from my reading experience. However, I loved this beautiful, unapologetically Filipino book and if you like middle grade adventure novels, I hope you pick this one up
This middle grade book was such a delight. It felt like a fun, thrilling, and humorous YA version of Night at the Museum. It was also a lot more nuanced and layered than I expected. There was a sprinkling of Filipino history with a little exposition on the experiences of Freddie’s ancestors in WWII. There’s a lot of Filipino superstitious beliefs and mythology, and pop culture. I loved all the Filipino-centered humor with the cameo of banana ketchup, phrases like “look with your eyes and not your mouth,” and
The bullying he experienced, mostly because of the curse, but also because of his innate clumsiness added so much to this little boy’s anxiety and frustration about everything that I really wish I could just give him the biggest hug. He’s lived in a state of fear and was just very lonely and sad that he could really never get close to anyone cause of the curse.
I enjoyed the very accessible life lessons imparted here and the exposition on generational trauma. I also very much enjoyed how Badua expounded on horrific moments in Philippine history while making them kid-friendly. The growth of all the main characters was also very lovely to read.
I personally did not enjoy the audiobook narrator. I feel like he tried very much to sound child-like but had a very adult voice so it detracted from my reading experience. However, I loved this beautiful, unapologetically Filipino book and if you like middle grade adventure novels, I hope you pick this one up
November 5, 2024
Seventh grader Freddie Ruiz believes that his family is cursed. Freddie has bad luck with everything he does. He often falls or injuries himself, which has led to many unfortunate nicknames at school. Freddie finds an amulet that is an old family heirloom. The amulet promises to bring good fortune. Once Freddie takes the amulet, he finds out that his great-granduncle, Ramon, is stuck inside the amulet. Even worse, he finds out that if he does not break the family curse in 2 weeks, he will die. Freddie works with Ramon, his grandmother, and his friend Sharkey to break the curse. Throughout the journey to break the curse, Freddie learns about his Filipino culture and history. He also learns how to be brave and face his fears.
I read a physical copy of this book from my local library. I found a positive review of this book on the Kirkus Reviews website. I would recommend this book for students in grades 5-8. This book would be beneficial for students in that age group because Freddie has difficulty with social situations. He gets injured often and gets teased by his classmates for it. Throughout the book, we see Freddie learn more about himself and how to be brave like his ancestors. The book could also be used in lessons about character development since Freddie changes so much in the story.
I read a physical copy of this book from my local library. I found a positive review of this book on the Kirkus Reviews website. I would recommend this book for students in grades 5-8. This book would be beneficial for students in that age group because Freddie has difficulty with social situations. He gets injured often and gets teased by his classmates for it. Throughout the book, we see Freddie learn more about himself and how to be brave like his ancestors. The book could also be used in lessons about character development since Freddie changes so much in the story.
June 27, 2022
What could be worse for a middle schooler than being clumsy? Well… having to live with a family curse that’s been passed down for generations. Or at least that’s how the story goes.
When Freddie (nicknamed Faceplant Freddie by the kids at his middle school) finds an amulet in the garage while searching for glue, he puts it in his pocket and goes back inside. The anting-anting that was supposed to be his great grand uncle Ramon’s good luck charm was actually the exact opposite of that. He had stolen it from his best friend to use for luck, but was cursed instead and when he died, his ghost was trapped inside.
And now, Freddie has somehow activated it… and if he can’t reverse the curse in a matter of days, he’ll die. But he’ll have the help of the newly released Ramon and his cousin Sharkie, who lives next door, to help him find his GGU’s best friend. He’s the only one who can reverse the curse, save his life, and set Ramon free.
But how hard could finding a 97 year old Filipino man somewhere in America be?
I love that we got a lot of the authors Filipino American culture tied into the characters and their life, as well as Filipino mythology woven into a fun, funny, and fast paced supernatural adventure that any kid will love to read about.
When Freddie (nicknamed Faceplant Freddie by the kids at his middle school) finds an amulet in the garage while searching for glue, he puts it in his pocket and goes back inside. The anting-anting that was supposed to be his great grand uncle Ramon’s good luck charm was actually the exact opposite of that. He had stolen it from his best friend to use for luck, but was cursed instead and when he died, his ghost was trapped inside.
And now, Freddie has somehow activated it… and if he can’t reverse the curse in a matter of days, he’ll die. But he’ll have the help of the newly released Ramon and his cousin Sharkie, who lives next door, to help him find his GGU’s best friend. He’s the only one who can reverse the curse, save his life, and set Ramon free.
But how hard could finding a 97 year old Filipino man somewhere in America be?
I love that we got a lot of the authors Filipino American culture tied into the characters and their life, as well as Filipino mythology woven into a fun, funny, and fast paced supernatural adventure that any kid will love to read about.
May 18, 2022
Freddie vs. the Family Curse is a delightful Middle Grade read about family, history, and how they impact our identities. Freddie is the fourth generation in his family cursed, but his parents don't believe the curse exists. Living with his parents and his great-grandmother, Freddie navigates life knowing that somehow, someway something will go wrong. This cautious and also chaotic state of being unfortunately makes Freddie fairly friendless, minus his next-door-neighbor and cousin, and the subject of some terrible bullying at school. When Freddie awakens an amulet that his great-uncle is trapped within, it sets off a series of events that will leave Freddie in peril if he does not break the family curse!
This was such a heartfelt and hysterical story. As a Middle Grade book, I found it to perfectly convey important lessons for Freddie, interesting and sad facts about the Philippines in World War II, representation of a Filipino-American family, and awesome Fantasy/Filipino Mythology aspects. It was a joy to read and I loved joining Freddie for his adventure. Many thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy.
This was such a heartfelt and hysterical story. As a Middle Grade book, I found it to perfectly convey important lessons for Freddie, interesting and sad facts about the Philippines in World War II, representation of a Filipino-American family, and awesome Fantasy/Filipino Mythology aspects. It was a joy to read and I loved joining Freddie for his adventure. Many thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy.
July 10, 2022
I am always on the look out for children-appropriate reads and stories that my children could enjoy and learn more about the Filipino culture.
Freddie has been burdened with his unlucky streak which he thinks he can now overcome by releasing the ghost that resides in an amulet (or anting0-anting) he finds in the family garage. As one unlucky turn of events after another seem to stand in his way to ever fulfilling his goal (before the curse takes hold of his life), Freddie learns about his ancestors and some insight into the plight of Filipinos against the backdrop of the Japanese occupation during WWII, and he also learns about himself and how he has the power to turn his luck around (with or without the anting-anting). Along with the support of his friend, Sharkey, Freddie embarks on a journey learning about himself and how to let go of the past.
Love the characterization, and the Filipino representation in the book. This is a book I can very well relate with and my children read it and learn a little bit more of the culture I grew up with. Thank you for the straight-up storytelling.
Freddie has been burdened with his unlucky streak which he thinks he can now overcome by releasing the ghost that resides in an amulet (or anting0-anting) he finds in the family garage. As one unlucky turn of events after another seem to stand in his way to ever fulfilling his goal (before the curse takes hold of his life), Freddie learns about his ancestors and some insight into the plight of Filipinos against the backdrop of the Japanese occupation during WWII, and he also learns about himself and how he has the power to turn his luck around (with or without the anting-anting). Along with the support of his friend, Sharkey, Freddie embarks on a journey learning about himself and how to let go of the past.
Love the characterization, and the Filipino representation in the book. This is a book I can very well relate with and my children read it and learn a little bit more of the culture I grew up with. Thank you for the straight-up storytelling.
January 9, 2024
Disclaimer: I read this for my kiddo’s school book club and understand that I am not the target audience.
Two stars is really rounding down from 2.5. I struggled with rating this book. It’s interesting and the story is kinda cool. I like the blending of Pilipino culture and American culture that you see in Freddie. But this book feels kinda unfinished or unpolished or unrevised. There are some story elements that feel like they could develop into something really interesting but then they just peter out. And there are some themes and motifs that the author starts introducing but then does more telling than showing and seems to forget about them later. If I was a fifth grader I think I’d be able to look past all that, maybe, but my fifth grader also kinda got distracted by the uneven tone. Occasionally you think you’re going to hear some unvarnished truths about the colonial treatment of the Philipines during WW2, but then it just stops and goes back to break dancing and Elmo underwear. I liked this book but that unevenness and tendency to tell rather than show makes it hard to rate it highly.
Two stars is really rounding down from 2.5. I struggled with rating this book. It’s interesting and the story is kinda cool. I like the blending of Pilipino culture and American culture that you see in Freddie. But this book feels kinda unfinished or unpolished or unrevised. There are some story elements that feel like they could develop into something really interesting but then they just peter out. And there are some themes and motifs that the author starts introducing but then does more telling than showing and seems to forget about them later. If I was a fifth grader I think I’d be able to look past all that, maybe, but my fifth grader also kinda got distracted by the uneven tone. Occasionally you think you’re going to hear some unvarnished truths about the colonial treatment of the Philipines during WW2, but then it just stops and goes back to break dancing and Elmo underwear. I liked this book but that unevenness and tendency to tell rather than show makes it hard to rate it highly.
May 5, 2022
I'll definitely preface this by saying I started reading this in the ER, but I felt like the beginning was a bit slow but once it got going, it really got going! Freddie accidentally unleashes a death curse upon himself in a desperate search for some good luck and it's quite a realistically middle-grade attempt to solve the problem. (There's a LOT of contemporary fantasies where kids end up doing stuff that most parents would put a stop to like, immediately) so it was really nice to see kid's best-laid plans completely going to shit because of a well-meaning but firm parent. I loved the Filipino representation that was so nicely done in the book - from food, to generational trauma. The effects of war was nicely represented as well, horrific but totally in an appropriate way for kids to understand (Batan Death March). Ultimately, I'm probably going to reread the beginning few chapters again, because I'm sure they are amazing, because the book is thoroughly hilarious, perfectly paced, perfectly middle grade and ends in a satsifying conclusion.
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