Sterling, Zachary. Mabuhay!: A Graphic Novel. Zachary Sterling, Illus. Scholastic/Graphix, 10/2023. 228 [+12]pp. Graphic. Trade $24.99. 978-1-3387-3864-3. Paper $12.99. 978-1-338-73860-5. GRADES 3 – 7. OUTSTANDING.
Filipino American kids JJ and Althea are frustrated with people at school and with their parents, who make them help out with the family food truck business every evening. But their embarrassment gradually turns into pride as they discover secret magical powers within their family and use them to fight monsters and save the world. With a winning combination of precolonial Filipino folklore, tween angst and interests, plus physical and verbal humor, Sterling creates an original and fast-paced graphic novel with fresh takes on the importance of family and being true to oneself. Frequent asterisks in the speech bubbles lead to notes at the bottom of the page with pronunciation help, definitions, and background information about Filipino food and folklore. Back matter includes a recipe for chicken adobo, an author’s note, and a glossary of Tagalog terms.
Jennifer Vetter—Montclair Elementary School / Oakland Unified School District