Book Review: Love, Dance and Egg Rolls

Love, Dance and Egg Rolls, Jason Tanamor, Ooligan Press, 2022, Paperback, 252 pages.

Reviewed by Christine Cassello.

This Young Adult, coming-of-age novel is written from a male point of view. Jamie, the main character who tells the story, is a first generation Filipino-American. Jamie thinks of his life as a soap opera. He wants to be accepted as a white American teenager, but his darker skin makes him stand out. He becomes the target of bullying by the most popular white male in the school. His two best friends who live nearby and went to kindergarten with Jamie are his only friends. That is until he meets Bethany.

Bethany also stands out because she dresses in black and wears black makeup in the Goth fashion. Jamie is attracted to her because she is not embarrassed or afraid to be  different, rather, she takes pride in it. Jamie is afraid to show that he likes her, so she initiates their meeting. When they begin dating, his friends feel like he is ignoring them and they have a falling-out.

Jamie dances a traditional  Filipino folk dance at an annual folk festival that will close down after this year. The festival falls on the same day as the school's homecoming dance. He would like to take Bethany to Homecoming, but does not want to miss the festival.

Bethany finds Jamie's Filipino background interesting. He begins to show more of it to her and introduces her to his family. With her encouragement, he begins  to accept and find pride in his heritage.

The book has anti-bullying themes and a message of “don't be afraid to be yourself.” Readers will be exposed to various Filipino customs and phrases by reading this novel.