Freddie was determined to challenge the family curse that had plagued his ancestors for years. From a young age, he had witnessed the devastating effects it had on his family, and he was determined to break the cycle. Growing up, Freddie had seen his parents struggle financially, constantly battling to make ends meet. Debt and poverty seemed to follow his family wherever they went, and it was a burden that weighed heavily on their shoulders. It seemed as if they were trapped in a never-ending cycle, unable to escape the fate that had befallen so many before them. But Freddie refused to accept this as his destiny.
What projects are you working on now?
And I, like my characters, have had the disappointment of opening a Danish butter cookie tin and finding sewing supplies instead of delicious cookies. For example, the war-time experiences of Freddie s great-grandmother and great-granduncle are based on those of my own elders, who sought safety in the forest from invading forces during World War II or were forced to walk miles and miles to prison camps in the Bataan Death March.
But Freddie refused to accept this as his destiny. He knew that he had the power to change his circumstances, and he was determined to do so. He watched as his parents worked tirelessly to provide for their family, and he was inspired by their resilience.
KidLit411
I’m Tracy Badua, a Filipino American attorney and author of the upcoming middle-grade novel contemporary fantasy Freddie vs. the Family Curse, out May 3, 2022, from Clarion Books. Growing up, I was that kid who stapled together printer paper and wrote stories about my stuffed animals. I sold them to neighbors for a quarter or two, and my grandma held on to a few too.
In addition to books for middle-grade readers, I also write for young adults. And having written for a whole spectrum of ages, I find that writing for middle grade and young adult readers is far more fun and interesting than writing for other attorneys. For example, I get to make all sorts of stuff up in my novels, a practice generally frowned upon in the legal setting.
Congrats on your MG debut, Freddie vs. the Family Curse! Tell us about the story and what inspired you.
Thank you! Freddie vs. the Family Curse is about a 12-year-old Filipino American boy who must team up with the ghost of his great-granduncle to break a family curse or risk being trapped in an amulet forever. The story draws heavily from the history, superstition, and folklore I grew up with. For example, the war-time experiences of Freddie’s great-grandmother and great-granduncle are based on those of my own elders, who sought safety in the forest from invading forces during World War II or were forced to walk miles and miles to prison camps in the Bataan Death March. In our home in California, my grandmother cautioned against sweeping up at night because we’d “sweep out the fortune,” a ritual enforced in Freddie’s household too. And I, like my characters, have had the disappointment of opening a Danish butter cookie tin and finding sewing supplies instead of delicious cookies.
Was your road to publication long and winding, short and sweet, or something in between?
Something in between. I started writing with the goal of traditional publication six years ago, and I initially began with picture books. As my writing journey progressed and my focus moved to middle grade, I really began to dig into the story that would become Freddie vs. the Family Curse. Fast forward to connecting with my current agent, Natalie Lakosil, whom I knew through my long-time critique partner and friend Alechia Dow. Natalie saw promise in this story about a cursed Filipino American boy, and after a couple rounds of edits, I crossed my fingers and we sent it out to editors. Freddie was acquired by Amy Cloud at Clarion Books, and I’m excited to see it out in the world in May.
What are some of your favorite classic MGs? recent ones?
I’ll always be a fan of the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and I remember combing the library for every Goosebumps book I could get my hands on (which is funny to me now because I’m a total scaredy-cat who changes the channel when a horror movie commercial comes on). Lately, I recommend to everyone Jessica Kim’s hilarious Stand Up, Yumi Chung!, Alyssa Colman’s magical The Gilded Girl, and everything by Erin Entrada Kelly and Ellen Oh.
What projects are you working on now?
My contemporary young adult novel This is Not a Personal Statement comes out Winter 2023 from Quill Tree Books. This follows a teen who leaves home for the college of her dreams. that she wasn't actually accepted to, breaking into dorm rooms, dodging security, crashing classes, and figuring out how to actually get in next semester before she's caught.
I’ve also been hard at work on my second middle-grade book. It’s also a contemporary fantasy, and it involves celebrity chefs, Filipino folk magic, and a family-owned food truck!
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Read plenty of recently published books in the age range and genre you’d like to write in, and do so thoughtfully. I know, this sounds like work when you’re just trying to relax and enjoy a good story, but push yourself a step further and really analyze the book. What lessons can you take in your own writing? Pay attention to how the author laid out their story: where they chose to begin, ramp up, and end. How did they make you connect with the main character? If there was a tough or sensitive issue that you think the author tackled well, focus on how they approached it and the nuances in the language they used. All of those little gems of knowledge you’ve internalized will get a chance to shine when you sit down with your own work.
What is one thing most people don't know about you?
I didn’t realize until an embarrassingly late point in my life that the word “mischievous” is pronounced mis-chiv-us and not mis-chee-vee-us! Come on, Tracy, just look at how it’s spelled!
Where can people find you online?
My website is www.tracybadua.com. I’m @tracybwrites on Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok, and @tracybaduawrites on Instagram.
Tracy Badua is a Filipino American author of books about young people with sunny hearts in a sometimes stormy world. By day, she is an attorney who works in national housing policy and programs, and by night, she squeezes in writing, family and pup time, and bites of her secret candy stash. She lives in San Diego, California, with her husband, family, and photogenic Maltese.
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:
He saw how they never gave up, even in the face of adversity, and he knew that he had inherited that same fighting spirit. As he grew older, Freddie dedicated himself to learning as much as he could about personal finance and wealth creation. He devoured books on investing, attended seminars, and sought out mentors who could guide him on his journey. He knew that education was the key to success, and he was determined to arm himself with the knowledge needed to break free from the family curse. With each passing year, Freddie's efforts began to pay off. He secured a well-paying job, started investing his money wisely, and slowly but surely, he began to build wealth. He never forgot where he came from and constantly reminded himself of the struggles his family had endured. He used their experiences as fuel to push himself further and to never become complacent. Over time, Freddie's financial situation improved drastically. He was able to provide for his family in a way that he had never seen before. The burden of debt was lifted, and they were finally able to live comfortably. But Freddie didn't stop there. He also became actively involved in philanthropy, using his newfound wealth to make a difference in the lives of others who were trapped in the same cycle he once was. Freddie had successfully broken the family curse. His determination, knowledge, and resilience allowed him to rise above the circumstances that had haunted his ancestors for generations. He proved to himself and to his family that they were not destined to be victims of their circumstances, but rather, they were in control of their own destinies. Freddie's story serves as a powerful reminder that we have the power to break free from the patterns that have held us back. We are not defined by our past or the circumstances we were born into, but rather, by the choices we make and the actions we take. It is up to us to challenge the status quo and create a better future for ourselves and for the generations that follow..
Reviews for "Freddie's Rebellion: Challenging the Family Curse and Choosing a Different Path"
- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Freddie challenging the family curse". The plot was SO predictable and the characters were one-dimensional. I could see every twist and turn coming from a mile away, and it made the story feel incredibly boring. The writing style was also very lackluster, with little to no description or depth. Overall, I just couldn't connect with this book and would not recommend it to others.
- John - 1 star - "Freddie challenging the family curse" was a complete waste of my time. The story was all over the place, with no clear direction or purpose. The characters were unlikeable and their actions made no sense. The dialogue was cheesy and cringeworthy, and the attempts at humor fell completely flat. I struggled to finish this book and when I finally did, I felt like I had wasted hours of my life. Save yourself the trouble and stay away from this one.
- Emily - 1 star - I absolutely hated "Freddie challenging the family curse". The writing was terrible, with grammatical errors and awkward phrasing throughout. The story was completely unbelievable and unrealistic, making it impossible for me to suspend my disbelief. The main character was annoying and had no redeeming qualities. I found myself rolling my eyes every few pages, and I couldn't wait for it to be over. I would not recommend this book to anyone.