How to Make Friends with the Sea

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Description

Twelve-year-old Pablo is homesick. Ever since his father left his mother, a zoologist who helps rehabilitate abused animals, they've moved from one side of the world to the other. Now they are residing in the Philippines, and his mother is charged to care for an orphaned child, Chiqui, who has an unrepaired cleft lip. As he and his mother adjust to having Chiqui in their lives, Pablo must face his ever-increasing anxiety. But as it turns out, in his efforts to help Chiqui, he learns a thing or two from her as well, even finding the courage to confront his lifelong and deep-seated fear of the sea. This very special middle grade debut addresses issues of identity, mental health, appearance, friendship, and family.

Reviews

"Guerrero touches on many topics--anxiety, fostering, friendship, family, selective mutism, and more--seamlessly weaving them all together to create a strong, moving narrative. [...] A heartbreaking, heartwarming, powerful debut novel." -- Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

"A story for anyone who's ever asked where--and what--home is." -- Jack Cheng, author of See You in the Cosmos

"How to Make Friends with the Sea is a heartwarming story about family, friendship, identity and finding courage within our own hearts. I know readers will have as much fun cheering for Pablo as I did." -- Dan Gemeinhart, author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

"Touching and sweet, Tanya Guerrero's debut How to Make Friends with the Sea is a multi-layered story with heaps of heart. Readers will root for Pablo as he finds his courage, voice, and family on this journey to self-acceptance." -- Elly Swartz, author of Finding Perfect and Give and Take

"Atmospheric and moving, How to Make Friends with the Sea is an impressive debut. The friendship between Pablo and Chiqui completely captured my heart." -- Jasmine Warga, author of Other Words for Home

Author Bio

A Martial Law baby born at the height of the Marcos regime in the Philippines, Tanya Guerrero spent her childhood in Manila, Barcelona, and La Masia. She currently lives in the suburbs of Manila with her husband, daughter, and a menagerie of rescued cats and dogs. How to Make Friends with the Sea is her debut novel. Learn more about Tanya at tanyaguerrero.com.