The Library Minute with Urleen

In Avon Schools, our libraries are hubs of activity. They are centers of learning, imagination, and excitement. In each issue of Oriole Blast, we'll feature a select book review by an Avon student. In addition to enjoying the chance to hear from them, maybe they'll get you hooked on a book.

My name is Urleen. I am a senior at Avon High School. The following is my review of The Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay.

Jay Reguero is a senior in high school, looking to the finish line of his high school career, much like myself. Jay is going through the motions of school and interacting with his family before he receives devastating news. His cousin June, who lived in the Philippines, is now dead. All he is told about the manner of his death is that it’s not to be spoken of and June will not get a funeral. Despite his many requests, his parents don’t waver on their decision not to tell him the details of June’s death, so there’s only one way left to find out. Jay books the next flight to the Philippines, convincing his parents to consider it his senior present. He flies to his homeland and goes on a journey, at times a dangerous one, to find out what truly happened to his childhood best friend.

Growing up as an avid reader, I never really saw representation of my family and societal dynamic presented in the books I was reading, so reading The Patron Saints of Nothing makes my inner child so happy. It is good to see parts of myself represented. I got to see the journey of a character not so different from myself and how the mesh of his two cultures affected the way he went through his life and how each culture perceived the other. This book provides accurate and very real insight on what it means to be an Asian-American teen and I would highly recommend The Patron Saints of Nothing to people seeking to diversify their reading content and look at life from different perspectives.

If your child is inspired to check out this recommendation, they may get it from their school library, by visiting our friends at the Avon-Washington Township Public Library or pick up a copy online.