Identity and Justice in "Patron Saints of Nothing" by Randy Ribay

"Patron Saints of Nothing" by Randy Ribay is about a Michigan high school senior named Jay who finds out his Filipino cousin, Jun, died because of the government's war on drugs in the Philippines. Jay, struggling with his identity, travels to the Philippines to learn the truth. The story, written by Randy Ribay, talks about family, identity, and the challenges in the Philippines. It's not just a regular story; it makes you think about important things like justice and how politics affect real people. The author wants young readers to reflect on these issues. The characters are well-described, and the plot connects to bigger historical problems, making it interesting and relevant. Even without pictures, the writing helps you imagine the scenes and understand the characters. Overall, "Patron Saints of Nothing" is a good book for young adults, teaching them about different cultures and important issues in an engaging way.

The story is honest about the challenges in the Philippines, especially with President Duterte's war on drugs. It talks about social issues without being unfair to any group. Even without pictures, the writing helps you picture the scenes and understand the characters. The characters are well-developed, and you can understand their feelings and actions. The plot includes real facts that connect to bigger historical issues, making it interesting and relevant. Furthermore, The author wants to tell a story that makes readers think about important things about the world and their place in it—who they are and where they belong. The book is not just a regular story; it's meant to make young people reflect on justice, right and wrong, and how politics can affect real people.

I will not recommend this book for Seventh-day Adventist schools because it includes themes like drugs, violence, and family disagreements, which might not align with the values of a Christian school. Additionally, it touches on sensitive topics such as the Philippines' war on drugs and explores perspectives that some schools might find challenging to address in their teaching. The book's content may be considered unsuitable for a Christian educational environment due to its portrayal of socio-political affairs, language, and potential normalization of certain behaviors.