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lauriehnatiuk's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
What a stunning debut Tanya Guerrero has created - not only are there are many things tackled in this book but it I am so happy to promote another #ownvoices book from the Philippines.
Pablo lives with his mother, a zoologist who bounces around the world, which has made life for him difficult especially as he copes with anxiety and his OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). Taking place in the Philippines Pablo’s mom is working in an animal sanctuary. As Pablo is adjusting to his new life, another challenge is added to the mix.His mother takes in an orphan girl with a cleft lip named Chiqui. It has been Pablo and his mom for so long he initially feels resentful especially when he feels he has been neglected. It turns out though - if Pablo can focus on helping Chiqui his own anxiety and fears dissipate. Pablo begins to help Chiqui learn English and the bond they develop is one of sister and brother -now Pablo wants Chiqui to be a part of their family. The bond these two develop is special and will stay with readers long after they have finished the book.
The way in which the adults in this story (friends of Pablo’s mom) treat Pablo’s anxiety in a positive way (not pushing or demeaning his feelings) is powerful showing how one can support those suffering from mental health issues. I appreciated reading the many different positive relationships in the book and know readers will connect with them as well. It is wonderful to see more books from the Philippines and I enjoyed learning more about the land and the culture. I look forward to more books by Tanya Guerrero- she has knocked her first one out of the park. Available March 2020
What a stunning debut Tanya Guerrero has created - not only are there are many things tackled in this book but it I am so happy to promote another #ownvoices book from the Philippines.
Pablo lives with his mother, a zoologist who bounces around the world, which has made life for him difficult especially as he copes with anxiety and his OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). Taking place in the Philippines Pablo’s mom is working in an animal sanctuary. As Pablo is adjusting to his new life, another challenge is added to the mix.His mother takes in an orphan girl with a cleft lip named Chiqui. It has been Pablo and his mom for so long he initially feels resentful especially when he feels he has been neglected. It turns out though - if Pablo can focus on helping Chiqui his own anxiety and fears dissipate. Pablo begins to help Chiqui learn English and the bond they develop is one of sister and brother -now Pablo wants Chiqui to be a part of their family. The bond these two develop is special and will stay with readers long after they have finished the book.
The way in which the adults in this story (friends of Pablo’s mom) treat Pablo’s anxiety in a positive way (not pushing or demeaning his feelings) is powerful showing how one can support those suffering from mental health issues. I appreciated reading the many different positive relationships in the book and know readers will connect with them as well. It is wonderful to see more books from the Philippines and I enjoyed learning more about the land and the culture. I look forward to more books by Tanya Guerrero- she has knocked her first one out of the park. Available March 2020
rachel_abby_reads's review against another edition
3.0
Pablo is a 12 year old boy. His parents are divorced, he's living with his mom, who has moved him to multiple countries and continents in the last five years. Pablo also has fears, anxieties, and some OCD. He can't handle germs, crowds, messes. He feels that he isn't normal and desperately wishes he could be different. He's afraid to disclose his fears and feelings to his mother for fear that she will be disappointed in him and leave, as his father did.
He and his mother are living in the Philippines, with his mother working in a wildlife preserve and Pablo having a homeschool tutor. Life isn't great and could be a lot better.
He experiences a seismic shift when his mother is asked to foster a small girl with a cleft lip, almost feral from living in a remote, rural area.
It's never really explained how this girl ends up in Carmen's (mom's) hands, or why her boss Miguel feels that she is the appropriate person to handle this. It's clear by the end that there is a romantic relationship between Carmen and Miguel, but we don't know how long it has been going on. We don't know how Miguel found out about Chiqui (the little girl). There are a number of questions that don't really get answered - and maybe that's how life looks to a kid, living largely at the whim of adults.
Reading reviews of this book put me in touch with the concept of "ownvoices," which means if an author is writing from the perspective of an under-represented community (trans, gay, Asian, disabled, fill-in-the-blank), then they must be trans, gay, Asian, disabled, fill-in-the-blank. I'm not in love with this concept. An author who doesn't identify as what they attempt to write may lack direct personal experience, but preparing to write with an authentic voice must surely require learning, exposure and compassion. These are not bad things.
He and his mother are living in the Philippines, with his mother working in a wildlife preserve and Pablo having a homeschool tutor. Life isn't great and could be a lot better.
He experiences a seismic shift when his mother is asked to foster a small girl with a cleft lip, almost feral from living in a remote, rural area.
It's never really explained how this girl ends up in Carmen's (mom's) hands, or why her boss Miguel feels that she is the appropriate person to handle this. It's clear by the end that there is a romantic relationship between Carmen and Miguel, but we don't know how long it has been going on. We don't know how Miguel found out about Chiqui (the little girl). There are a number of questions that don't really get answered - and maybe that's how life looks to a kid, living largely at the whim of adults.
Reading reviews of this book put me in touch with the concept of "ownvoices," which means if an author is writing from the perspective of an under-represented community (trans, gay, Asian, disabled, fill-in-the-blank), then they must be trans, gay, Asian, disabled, fill-in-the-blank. I'm not in love with this concept. An author who doesn't identify as what they attempt to write may lack direct personal experience, but preparing to write with an authentic voice must surely require learning, exposure and compassion. These are not bad things.
danyell919's review against another edition
5.0
Oh I loved this book! Talk about tugging at your heartstrings - both Pablo AND Chiqui did that. Even Happy the neighbor/friend! Two thumbs up!
jamiereads's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
inilalahad's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
arp363's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
aublar's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this sweet middle grade novel about Pablo, a shy kid with obsessive compulsive disorder who really comes into his own over the course of the book. It takes place in the Philippines, which was fun to learn about life in a different place. The characters are great and I loved the scenes at the beach!
kaz1411's review against another edition
4.0
Wholesome. I love that it's set in the Philippines, full of nature, and culture and green beaches. I can't wait to make homemade Taho.
darlingbudsofrae's review against another edition
How to Make Friends with the Sea is a realistic middle-grade fiction that aims to deliver a heartwarming story about family and conquering fears, the former being a prominent and primary theme to any Filipino fiction or media entertainment, if I'm going to be honest. The book has good intentions and I naturally came to wish the best for Pablo and am so happy when things gradually settled down and the rippled waters around him calmed, but this book did not come to me without problems.
The protagonist, Pablo, exhibits symptoms of OCD (and anxiety at many points) yet this went completely under the radar by the adults. What's worse is that it is never really addressed to the very end. I honestly just find it really alarming how this book hinted so much of this yet never really explored or did anything to resolve this dilemma when Pablo's mom did everything she could to help a complete stranger who she literallly shares zero blood with- Chiqui.
The situation with Chiqui also seems like a plot convenience to push the story forward. It doesn't really make sense how Chiqui ended up living with Pablo and his mom but Chiqui and Pablo's connection is honestly so lovely and sweet despite Pablo's earlier recoils that it's what pretty much saved the book for me.
While I'm sure the author meant well, and while the culture is portrayed accurately as it could've been, the settings in general weren't just there. It's honestly disappointing because some of the descriptions could've been better-phrased to at least not sound offensive but here we are.
I actually have an intense fear for deep waters such as the sea (which is pretty much a curse considering I pretty much live near it) which is probably the main reason why I was so excited to read this. This story is honestly so tender and I know that the author had good intentions with the story. Pablo conquering his fears and coming into terms with them is honestly just a development that I like and resonated with all too well. I mean, I'm disturbed that the OCD thing wasn't really handled the best way but still. In the end, if you can avoid the aforementioned problems I had with this book, I think How to Make Friends with the Sea is a solid story and I'm pretty sure that despite all of my critiques, I'd still recommend it all the same anyway because this book really wasn't all that bad.
PS.
Y'know, it's actually true- here in the Philippines, or in my area at least, people are given old or weird af names that most people's nicknames are a long shot from their real names. Take me for example, my real name is a far cry from Rae, but somehow, people around me had been referring to me by that all my life.
The protagonist, Pablo, exhibits symptoms of OCD (and anxiety at many points) yet this went completely under the radar by the adults. What's worse is that it is never really addressed to the very end. I honestly just find it really alarming how this book hinted so much of this yet never really explored or did anything to resolve this dilemma when Pablo's mom did everything she could to help a complete stranger who she literallly shares zero blood with- Chiqui.
The situation with Chiqui also seems like a plot convenience to push the story forward. It doesn't really make sense how Chiqui ended up living with Pablo and his mom but Chiqui and Pablo's connection is honestly so lovely and sweet despite Pablo's earlier recoils that it's what pretty much saved the book for me.
While I'm sure the author meant well, and while the culture is portrayed accurately as it could've been, the settings in general weren't just there. It's honestly disappointing because some of the descriptions could've been better-phrased to at least not sound offensive but here we are.
I actually have an intense fear for deep waters such as the sea (which is pretty much a curse considering I pretty much live near it) which is probably the main reason why I was so excited to read this. This story is honestly so tender and I know that the author had good intentions with the story. Pablo conquering his fears and coming into terms with them is honestly just a development that I like and resonated with all too well. I mean, I'm disturbed that the OCD thing wasn't really handled the best way but still. In the end, if you can avoid the aforementioned problems I had with this book, I think How to Make Friends with the Sea is a solid story and I'm pretty sure that despite all of my critiques, I'd still recommend it all the same anyway because this book really wasn't all that bad.
PS.
Y'know, it's actually true- here in the Philippines, or in my area at least, people are given old or weird af names that most people's nicknames are a long shot from their real names. Take me for example, my real name is a far cry from Rae, but somehow, people around me had been referring to me by that all my life.
leahbrarian's review against another edition
3.0
A lot of aspects make this a great middle grade choice, but I'd love to see more ownvoices reviews in terms of the OCD/anxiety/phobias portrayed here - the message seemed pretty significantly "mind over matter," relying on homebrew fixes and just pushing through it in a way that made me somewhat uncomfortable, especially thinking of young readers who might need more professional help and support than the texts portrays as important.