Scan barcode
sunflowerjess's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A tender, sweet story of a girl and her great-grandfather. I just love the family in this story and I loved learning about Filipino culture and folklore through this book.
selm's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
idk why i spent 6 days for reading this book 🤓 such a fun read, informative too. i highlighted most of the Philippine’s terms and myths. there are some great quotes too!
genielyssereyes's review against another edition
5.0
This book had so many pieces of my own experiences in here, and I am so, so grateful. Kaia and her Tatang are beautiful characters, and I could spend any day celebrating them and their family’s stories.
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
3.0
This is really a three and a half stars, but it hard to do a half star.
This is the second book by Mae Respicio that I've read, and while I love how she weaves in her filipino heritage into the story, the region that this story took place, Santa Monica/Venice Beach in Southern California did not feel as real as the first book, which took place in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since I grew up with a father who worked in the "industry" as they called the TV and Movie business back then, some of the main characters experience are not a bit like mine, but perhaps things have changed, and I am looking at this through nostalgic eyes.
I did like how detailed the book was about the filming of her movie, from the script to the problems that she had in making it, for the contest that she hopes will make her great grandfather want to stay in California, instead of moving back to his home village in the Philippines.
I also liked how author worked into the story, the Bataan Death March, which was part of her own history, and she made it real for the readers.
Though the story started off a little slow, with the MC being a bit whiny, things picked up and the story got better, along with the secret in the ending.
The great grandfather was full of life, and had a great personality too.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest reivew.
This is the second book by Mae Respicio that I've read, and while I love how she weaves in her filipino heritage into the story, the region that this story took place, Santa Monica/Venice Beach in Southern California did not feel as real as the first book, which took place in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since I grew up with a father who worked in the "industry" as they called the TV and Movie business back then, some of the main characters experience are not a bit like mine, but perhaps things have changed, and I am looking at this through nostalgic eyes.
I did like how detailed the book was about the filming of her movie, from the script to the problems that she had in making it, for the contest that she hopes will make her great grandfather want to stay in California, instead of moving back to his home village in the Philippines.
I also liked how author worked into the story, the Bataan Death March, which was part of her own history, and she made it real for the readers.
Though the story started off a little slow, with the MC being a bit whiny, things picked up and the story got better, along with the secret in the ending.
The great grandfather was full of life, and had a great personality too.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest reivew.
mezzythedragon's review against another edition
4.0
3.5, rounded to 4. Such a heartwarming story, and it’s important to show stories where children of color experience joy and love with their families. I really like the incorporation of Filipino mythological creatures as well as Filipino-American history.
jengennari's review against another edition
5.0
A great MG set in the summer of LA as Kaia copes with her sister living abroad and her great-grandfather deciding to return to his homeland in this story about a close-knit Filipino family. I loved the filmmaking part, the way she finds to honor her Tatang's WW2 service, and the exploration of the meaning of home. *Look where your feet are.*
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up
Hello cuteness! Any Day with You was a light-hearted middle grade novel about artistry, family, and storytelling. I loved the tender relationship between Tatang and his family and how he interacts a bit differently with each family member. Kaia is an artistic, talented kid who will inspire other kids to think outside of the box and explore fine arts. And based on other reviews I’ve seen, she’s inspiring older readers to embrace themselves and follow their dreams. What a special book!
Kaia’s family is so beautifully Filipino. The author is careful to include specific foods, stories, words, and traditions that will remind Own Voices readers of their families and will hopefully bring comfort and nostalgia to them. It’s so great seeing books like these on shelves, knowing that underrepresented cultures are having their chance to shine and connect with others.
This book handles disappointments well. It shows that things don’t always work out according to our hopes and I think that’s important for readers to see. Kaia doesn’t get everything she wants at the end of the novel but she finds peace with the compromises.
Any Day with You is comforting and fun, not too hard-hitting like some middle grade. It’s full of beaches, delicious food, makeup, and celebration. A joy to read!
content warnings for: discussion around aging and death, mentions of war and war crimes.
Hello cuteness! Any Day with You was a light-hearted middle grade novel about artistry, family, and storytelling. I loved the tender relationship between Tatang and his family and how he interacts a bit differently with each family member. Kaia is an artistic, talented kid who will inspire other kids to think outside of the box and explore fine arts. And based on other reviews I’ve seen, she’s inspiring older readers to embrace themselves and follow their dreams. What a special book!
Kaia’s family is so beautifully Filipino. The author is careful to include specific foods, stories, words, and traditions that will remind Own Voices readers of their families and will hopefully bring comfort and nostalgia to them. It’s so great seeing books like these on shelves, knowing that underrepresented cultures are having their chance to shine and connect with others.
This book handles disappointments well. It shows that things don’t always work out according to our hopes and I think that’s important for readers to see. Kaia doesn’t get everything she wants at the end of the novel but she finds peace with the compromises.
Any Day with You is comforting and fun, not too hard-hitting like some middle grade. It’s full of beaches, delicious food, makeup, and celebration. A joy to read!
content warnings for: discussion around aging and death, mentions of war and war crimes.
techielibgrl's review against another edition
5.0
This a lighthearted novel that does an excellent job dealing with some deeper issues. Trigger warnings: war, death, and aging.
The relationships between Tatang and his family are lovely and well thought out much like Front Desk by Kelly Yang. I really thought the author's use of foods, stories, and traditions that were unique to the Filipino experience were much appreciated. We need more diverse stories and I think this book checks all the boxes and I hope to see more books like this one. I appreciate seeing underrepresented cultures and how they can connect us to each other. Disappointment is something that happens in life and this book does a good job in showing the reality that no all endings are happy. Everything does not always work out but there is an acceptance and compromise with the ending.
The relationships between Tatang and his family are lovely and well thought out much like Front Desk by Kelly Yang. I really thought the author's use of foods, stories, and traditions that were unique to the Filipino experience were much appreciated. We need more diverse stories and I think this book checks all the boxes and I hope to see more books like this one. I appreciate seeing underrepresented cultures and how they can connect us to each other. Disappointment is something that happens in life and this book does a good job in showing the reality that no all endings are happy. Everything does not always work out but there is an acceptance and compromise with the ending.
thedelanster's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
amandarawsonhill's review against another edition
5.0
This book is emotional and beautiful. I loved it!