Holding On
Written by Sophia N. Lee
Illustrated by Isabel Roxas
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
There is always singing in Lola’s house. Sammy Davis Jr. in the morning, Dean Martin in the afternoon, and all throughout the evening, old Tagalog love songs from Nora Aunor, Basil Valdez, and more. Lola always says: “If you want to hold on, you gotta sing your songs.”
Her granddaughter tucks these sounds and Lola’s wisdom deep within her heart. And when Lola starts slipping into silence and stillness, she helps Lola hold on, piece by piece, with the joy and music that Lola taught her.


Primary ISBN: 9781534494459
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Age 04 or older
Community Represented: Filipino/Filipino American
Themes: Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Food, Family Relationship: Grandparents, Mental Health, Own Voices/Lived Experience, The Arts
Setting: Phillipines
Character’s New Arrival/New American Status: In Home Country
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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