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“This is a beautiful, tender expression of family and love that spans generations and great distances. The illustrations add so much life and context to the words. An extraordinary expression of Filipino culture and intergenerational familial bonds.”
— Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Maribel’s Year

Written by Michelle Sterling
Illustrated by Sarah Gonzales
Published by HarperCollins Publishers

New country, new school, new friends.

A lot can happen in a single year. But one thing’s for certain: Maribel won’t forget her Papa, even when he’s 8,000 miles away in the Philippines.

After all, Papa is all around. He is the memory of feeding koi fish in their pond every morning. He is the constellation map as Maribel dreams of showing him her new world. He is the packages and letters sent back and forth.

He is everywhere except the place he’s wanted the most. But the bond between Maribel and Papa transcends oceans. So as the snow melts and turns to rain, as flowers blossom and welcome sun-kissed days, and as the leaves start to change and snow begins to fall once more, can Maribel wait just a little bit longer?

Primary ISBN: 9780063114357
Publication Date: May 2023
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Age 04 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , ,

Setting: United States

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Immigrant

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