Everything We Never Had

This emotionally charged novel explores four generations of Filipino American boys navigating the complex terrain of identity, masculinity, and fraught father-son relationships across decades of family history. From Francisco Maghabol's 1930s struggle to survive as a farmworker in Watsonville through subsequent generations, Ribay weaves a powerful multigenerational narrative that examines how cultural heritage and family trauma shape young men's lives. The National Book Award finalist author brings his signature emotional depth to this moving exploration of intergenerational connections and the weight of unspoken family histories.

What makes this novel particularly compelling is how Ribay captures the universal struggle for identity while grounding it in specific Filipino American experiences, creating a story that resonates across cultural backgrounds. Young adult readers will connect with the authentic portrayal of teenage boys wrestling with expectations, while parents will appreciate the novel's thoughtful examination of masculinity and family dynamics. As an APALA medal winner and Boston Globe-Horn Book Fiction Award recipient, this powerful coming-of-age story offers both literary merit and emotional impact that will linger with readers long after the final page.