Gabriela Silang

Great Lives Series

by Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz

National Book Award Citation for Excellence

Part of the Great Lives Series for young readers, this book tells the life story of Philippine hero Gabriela Silang.

Tahanan Books for Young Readers makes history come alive in this first-ever biographical series of great Filipinos for children. Each book is written by an established historian or writer, in words simple enough for young people to understand. Each book is illustrated with historical photographs.

Genres: History

32 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2020

About the author

Flor Marie "Neni" Sta. Romana-Cruz is an award-winning writer, an accomplished educator, a noted children’s book critic, a reading advocate and freelance journalist. Prior to her appointment to the NBDB, Sta. Romana-Cruz chaired the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) and was likewise a board member of the “Sa Aklat Sisikat” Foundation, an organization which promotes book reading and lifelong learning. Some of the award-winning books she authored were the following: Why the Piña has a Hundred Eyes and Other Classic Philippine Folk Tales About Fruits which won the 1993 National Book Award for Children’s Literature and a biography of Gabriela Silang which received a National Book Award citation for excellence in 1992.

Sta. Romana-Cruz graduated cum laude from St. Scholastica’s College and holds a master’s degree in English Literature from the Ateneo de Manila University. She has also taken courses in children’s literature from Michigan State University. Neni taught writing to talented elementary school students at International School-Manila, where she headed the Children’s Media Center.

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the few famous Philippine Heroines, the life of Gabriela Silang is truly an inspiration to many for her boldness and love of freedom. Her name resonates with courage, bravery, fight for justice and exceptional leadership during a time "when women were expected to give all their time to their families and homes."

A must read for every Filipino child.

[AL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magandang panimula ito para sa mga kabataan na hindi pamilyar sa detalyadong storya ni Gabriela Silang. The book provided me a brief story of how Gabriela started and how she ended to be one of the most revolutionary women of 18th century.