Juanit - by Chris Perez Howard (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Discover a poignant tale of identity, loss, and acceptance in this coming-of-age tale about a girl desperate to find her place in the world.

Juanit's early years unfolded amidst the vibrant beauty of Guam, where, despite her mixed-race background, she embraced her identity wholeheartedly as a CHamoru. Guam was a place she deeply loved, an oasis of beauty, and a sanctuary of cherished memories with her mother and grandparents. However, the gentle rhythm of her life shattered with her mother's death that cast a shadow over her childhood bliss. Juanit was forced into a world where loss, grief, and rejection became her unwelcome companions. With her father's decision to move to California, Juanit found herself torn from the familiar embrace of her homeland, thrust into a new reality where she faced prejudice from peers who questioned her belonging and relatives who challenged her identity. As the weight of teenage struggles compounded by the void left by her mother's passing pressed upon her, Juanit grappled with a profound sense of isolation and desperation to be loved. Used, traumatized, assaulted, and alone, Juanit returned to Guam. Feeling like a different person and adrift in a place that once felt like home, Juanit was reminded of everything she'd lost. She lost her innocence, her parents, and her sense of self, but she still had her strength. Will she remind herself of that before it's too late?

Join Juanit as she grapples with her dual heritage, seeking belonging and love amidst struggles and painful realizations. Will she find solace and acceptance as she confronts her past and future? Will she ever feel at home? Juanit is for anyone desperate to belong. Experience the emotional depth of Juanit's story in this compelling narrative.

Review Quotes

"Juanit is a heart-wrenching coming of age tale set in a place which, despite being an American territory, most Americans are still unfamiliar with. Juanit's story can also be seen as an allegory for Guam and the many occupations that have beset the island."-- "Asian Review of Books"

About the Author

The late Chris Perez Howard believed that his adventurous spirit and endless curiosity were responsible for his unconventional life. Among his experiences, he served in the U.S. military; worked for the American Express Co. in New York; struggled as an artist in Rome, Italy; lived in Yap, the Seychelles, and the Philippines; and went to Africa to see wild animals in their natural habitat.