WINNER OF THE 2023 SID FLEISCHMAN HUMOR AWARD
In this thrilling and hilarious middle grade adventure, a young
Filipino-American boy must team up with his ancestor to break the curse
that's 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. He's learned to lay low and keep himself out of trouble--which
means no fun, no friends, and definitely no risks.
But when he discovers a family heirloom, a century-old amulet from the
Philippines that's supposed to bring good fortune, Freddie thinks his
luck is finally about to change.
He couldn't be more wrong. Because the spirit of Freddie's 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.