I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
A Time magazine pick for Best YA of All Time
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Oneworld Publications
Published:3rd Mar '22
Should be back in stock very soon
This contemporary YA novel explores the life of Julia as she copes with her sister's death and the pressures of her Mexican American upbringing in I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.
In I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, the story revolves around Julia, a young girl grappling with the loss of her sister, Olga, who died in a tragic accident. As Julia navigates her grief, she finds herself burdened by the expectations placed upon her by her family and community. The pressure to conform to the ideal of a perfect Mexican daughter weighs heavily on her, creating a complex emotional landscape that blends humor with poignant moments of self-discovery.
As Julia delves deeper into her sister's life, she uncovers truths that challenge the image of perfection that everyone seemed to hold. This revelation becomes a catalyst for her own journey of self-acceptance. Julia learns that her sister was not the flawless figure that her family believed her to be, prompting her to question her own identity and the stereotypes that come with growing up in a Mexican American household.
The novel beautifully intertwines themes of family, loss, and the quest for individuality, making it relatable to many young readers. I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter offers a refreshing perspective on the struggles of adolescence, enriched with wit and emotional depth. Through Julia's journey, readers are invited to reflect on their own definitions of perfection and the importance of embracing one's true self.
‘This gripping debut about a Mexican-American misfit is alive and crackling – a gritty tale wrapped in a page-turner… Part detective story, part coming-of-age tale, Sánchez’s novel doesn’t shy from heavy subject matter.’
-- New York Times‘This book will change everything… A perfect book about imperfection.’
-- Juan Felipe Herrera, Poet Laureate of the United States‘Unique and fresh.’
-- Entertainment Weekly‘A wonderfully complex and interesting character.’
-- Los Angeles Review of Books‘If you ever wanted to [understand] the harsh truths of immigrant life, this is the book you need to read.’
-- Bustle‘Years ago, I fell in love with Erika L. Sánchez’ stunning novel... The depth, wit and searing intelligence of her writing, and her young Latina heroine, struck me to my core and left me wanting so much more.’
-- America Ferrera”Why does everything hurt all the time?” might be the perfect YA fiction line… It may seem melodramatic, but like so many questions raised within young adult fiction, it’s one we return to throughout our lives… The tensions of first-generation immigrants are explored deftly… Sánchez gives an authentic teen voice here. There’s a specific ache associated with being young and hurting… and it leaps off the age in this novel… This is a gorgeous novel.’
-- Irish Times‘An earnest and heartfelt tale.’
-- Booklist‘This powerful, compelling novel covers issues relating to present-day teenagers – ethnicity issues, cultural stresses, mental health – but the vivid American context sets them at a slight distance for British readers, and opens up opportunities for discussion.’
* School LibrariISBN: 9780861543496
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
368 pages