PEDRO & DANIEL

by Federico Erebia, illustrated by Julie Kwon

Pedro and Daniel are Mexican-American brothers growing up in 1970s Ohio. Their mom doesn’t like that Pedro is a spitting image of their darker-skinned father, that Daniel plays with dolls, that neither of the boys love sports like the other kids in their neighborhood. Life at home can be rough – but the boys have an unshakable bond that will last their entire lives.

Pedro & Daniel is a sweeping and deeply personal novel – illustrated with beautiful linework throughout by Julie Kwon – that spans from childhood to teenage years to adulthood, all the while tracing the lives of two brothers who are there for each other when no one else is. Together the brothers manage an abusive home life, school, coming out, first loves, first jobs, and the AIDS epidemic, in a coming-of-age story unlike any other.

Type: Young Adult Novel
Pages: 336
Format: Hardcover
Publication: June 6, 2023
ISBN: 9781646143047

praise

best of the year: Kirkus, Bank Street, Nerdy book club
Lambda Literary Award for Exceptional New Writer
Ohioana Book Award Finalist
Massachusetts Book Award Longlist
Crystal Kite Honor Book
Américas Award Commended Book

★ “Devastatingly beautiful.”

—Shelf-Awareness (starred)

★ “Pedro and Daniel’s journey, whether together or apart, is an unforgettable one of resilience and, most of all, love. Stunning.”

—Kirkus Reviews (starred)

★ “Luminous…a layered, thoroughly riveting telling…Erebia deftly weaves together the boys’ everyday joys with the seriousness of their situations, presenting a clear portrait of two brothers’ fierce love that is by turns uplifting and heart-wrenching.”

—Publishers Weekly (starred)

“A multi-layered and nuanced story.”

—School Library Connection

“Shines with the depiction of connection, love, and overcoming adversity.”

—BCCB

“A beautiful and raw story of two Mexican American boys trying to survive in a world where they only have each other to rely on… Readers will find themselves unable to put this book down. A powerful coming-of-age story, Erebia’s debut is a title that is unforgettable.”

—Booklist

About Federico Erebia

Federico Erebia is a retired physician, artist, woodworker, author, and illustrator. His artisanry, woodwork, furniture design, and books have been featured in magazines, newspapers, radio, and television. He is an active member of several writing groups. Pedro & Daniel is his debut novel. He lives in Massachusetts with his husband, and their westie and whippet.

About Julie Kwon

Julie Kwon is an illustrator based in New York. A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University, she has worked for a variety of clients in books and animation, including Simon & Schuster, Disney Hyperion, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and Cartoon Network. In her free time, Julie can be found biking around the city, reading, or taking way too many photos of her cat, Podo.