Book Cover

Boy with a Snake in His Schoolbag: A Memoir from Manila (or Something Like That)

Contributor(s): Ong, Bob (Author), Abrigo, Freely (Illustrator)

ISBN: 9780804859202

Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

Hardcover
$6.99
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Pub Date: September 2, 2025

Lexile Code: 0000

Features: Dust Cover, Price on Product

Target Age Group: NA to NA

Physical Info: 0.05" H x 8.00" L x 5.00" W ( 0.66 lbs) 192 pages

BISAC Categories:

Humor | Form | Essays | Topic | School and Education

Series: Tuttle Specials

Descriptions, Reviews, etc.

Description: A Fascinating and Funny Coming-of-Age Story Set in the Philippines.

This humorous coming-of-age memoir takes readers on a journey from kindergarten through college and beyond, capturing the experiences of a young teacher. Set in Manila, it explores universal themes of friendship, love, school life, academic struggles, and personal triumphs.

A National Bestseller in the Philippines, the book includes lively illustrations by award-winning cartoonist Freely Abrigo, a concept artist for Warner Brothers.

Through candid, warm, and humorous essays, Bob Ong recounts his upbringing in Marcos-era Manila of the 1980s, blending satire and nostalgia with everyday experiences such as:

  • Fighting for a seat in a crowded classroom
  • Enjoying Nutribuns (UNICEF's nutrient-enriched bread for developing countries)
  • Discovering a 20-inch rubber snake in your schoolbag
  • Participating in a disastrous school production of Star Wars
  • Struggling to adapt to university life
  • Gaining new insights as a teacher

Whether you're reminiscing about schooldays in the Philippines or simply looking for an entertaining memoir set against the backdrop of a vibrant Asian city, this book offers humor, heart, and insight.

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