Freddie vs. the Family Curse [Hardcover]

WINNER OF THE 2023 SID FLEISCHMAN HUMOR AWARD

In this thrilling and hilarious middle grade adventure steeped in Filipino folklore, a young Filipino-American boy must team up with his ancestor to break the curse thats haunted their family for generations . . . or be trapped in an amulet forever.

Freddie Ruiz is cursed.

While other people may have bad days,Freddie and his family have had bad generations: from bird poop splatting on him during picture day to the many tumbles and trips that earned him the nickname Faceplant Freddie. This lifelong family curse means hes learned to lay low and keep himself out of troublewhich means:

• no fun
• no friends
• and definitely no risks!

But when he discovers a family heirloom, a century-old amulet from the Philippines thats supposed to bring good fortune, Freddie thinks his luck is finally about to change.

He couldnt be more wrong. Because the ghostly spirit of Freddies cranky great-granduncle Ramon is trapped in the heirloom, and the evil spirits responsible for his death have returned with a vengeance. Now, Freddie and his cousin, Sharkey, have thirteen days to break the curse, or Freddie will join Ramon for an untimely afterlife in the amulet.

A Bank Street College Best Book of the Year!

“This book has it all—rich folklore, thrilling adventure, and hilarity. You’ll be cheering for Freddie from beginning to end.” -Erin Entrada Kelly, Newbery Medal-winning author of Hello, Universe and Lalani of the Distant Sea

A spirited fantasy enriched with Filipino culture and history. -Kirkus Reviews?(starred review)

. . . Full of humor and high stakes . . . Takes readers on an adventuresome ride with likable and funny characters who learn to make their own luck. -Booklist

The perfect combination of laugh-so-hard-you-snort hilarity and get-you-il£¤