Everything We Never Had

Ribay (Patron Saints of Nothing) examines masculinity and familial trauma via four generations of Filipino teens’ alternating perspectives in this emotionally resonant tale. In 2020 Philadelphia, Enzo Maghabol’s anxiety makes him feel like his head is full of “murder hornets.” Their buzzing gets worse when he learns his estranged grandfather will be moving in with his family during the pandemic. Banned from playing football for his Denver school due to his strict father’s approach to education, Chris becomes absorbed by the sociopolitical struggles in 1983 Philippines when he begins researching his ancestry, something his father would rather forget. Emil struggles to support himself and his mother while his absent father fights for farm workers’ rights in 1965 Stockton, Calif. After emigrating from the Philippines to Watsonville, Calif., in 1929, Francisco finds his dreams of a fresh start waylaid by the hard labor and racial violence he endures in his daily life. Compact storytelling richly layered with Filipino American culture and history provides the backdrop for each father-son relationship as the Maghabols confront personal and familial expectations in both past and present narratives. Ages 12–up. Agent: Beth Phelan, Gallt & Zacker Literary. (Aug.)