I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

Title I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez

Image:

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Justification:

I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter is a National Book Award Finalist, the winner of the Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award, Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year, Texas TAYHAS High school reading list, Virginia Capitol Choices Award List, and a New York Times Bestseller  (Penguin Random House, 2019). This heavily awarded book speaks to Mexicans, Hispanics, and others are not represented in books. It also does a great job addressing suicide attempts and the importance of family, forgiveness, and trust.

Evaluation of the book:

This story talks about the plight of being a second generation American growing up with a first generation American. While the book is laced with the overall plot of Olga dying and Julia is trying to find out who she really is the main plot is what it is like growing up in a different culture. Julia deals with a lot of the same concerns our students deal with. Some of the issues include will her parents be deported, suicide, death, and depression. Julia needs someone she can turn too but her mom cannot overcome her own grief enough to reach her daughter. It is not until Julia gets sent to Mexico that she understands the trials her parents have faced and why she is raised the way she is. The plot addresses several major issues and helps the reader to understand that Julia is just not entitled, and her mom does not have the tools needed to be the best parent. The two plots intertwine well with each other telling an important story about acceptance and trying to move on and heal.

The tone of the book is full and anger and sadness. Julia is dealing with depression because she lost her sister. She is going through puberty and feels guilty for her sister’s death. Julia and her parents seem at odds through the whole book. Julia is told she cannot enter her sisters’ room to mourn for her and spends her life with no privacy and grounded. It is not until after Julia attempts suicide and is found by her father that the tone changes. Julia begins to heal. She goes to therapy. Goes to Mexico and learns why her mom is the way she is. She also learns that Olga is not perfect and was about to have a baby. This realization allows her to grow and move on. She gets into College and forges her own path with a new understanding of her parents struggles. She learns to open herself up and learn about others struggles and problems. Julia grows up and becomes more accepting. The tone becomes one of sorrow to one of growth then this occurs.  

Sanchez uses two languages in the book. She does not limit her words to just English but uses precise vocabulary. The mixture of both languages helps to get the point of the story across. Ama uses her native langue and Mexican ideals while Julia grows up in an American culture. Olga follows the traditional Mexican mentality why Julia rebels and focuses on getting out and working on her education. As the characters are mentioned the use of Spanish increases or decreases. Julia and her mom even pretend to not speak English while cleaning on of the houses. This precise language helps the reader to understand that background and mindset of each character.   

Response:

          (a) Growing up in El Paso there were many first- and second-generation families. Parties were large affairs where the whole community would attend. Quinceneras were a rite of passage and sweet sixteens did not exist. For many women they were overprotected. They could not leave home like their male counterparts. Makeup could not be worn till their fifteenth birthday. They were taught how to care for a family, to have a decent job but that family always came first. I watched as these girls longed to become Americanized. To go away to college and not have to stay at home. This is an issue that many immigrants face. First generation families have faced a lot of trauma and trials to do what is best for their families. Their children do not understand what it took and what was lost. It is hard to balance both cultures and grow. This story is something that affects thousands of women as their families try to protect them from the harsh realities they faced.

          (b) This book was an extreme example. It broke my heart reading how the family was all suffering along. I did not agree with Ama when she banned Julia from Olga’s room. Julia lost her sister just as Ama lost her daughter. The punishments were also too intense. They just pushed a greater divide and separated the family more. Julia felt like she had to rebel because she was not heard or seen. She needed her Apa and Ama to support her instead of blaming her for her sister’s death. I choose to parent in a less extreme way because I want my daughter to come to me if she needs me. I want there to be trust and understanding but not friendship. It is important to listen to both sides so that people can heal.

          (g) The text was slow at first. It picked up the pace at the middle. I loved how it addressed several issues that teens face daily. However, I felt that the subplot with Olga was forced. It did not add a significant amount to the story and was not flushed out well. The main story with the relationship of Julia and her mom was the true story. The elements of going back to Mexico were well done and needed. This book is a great book to have in the library. It would benefit many students and even though it is slow at first it does send the message of hope and getting help.

         

Conclusion:

          This award-winning book tells the story of dealing with grief, regret, and anger. The plot, tone, and precise vocabulary help tell a story of a girl trying to fit in two different worlds, while mourning her sister. It also tells the story of learning to live after tragedy. Sanchez does a great job of showing the struggles and the importance of branching out and learning to accept and fix the things that tear us apart.

Citation:

Penguin Random House. (2019). I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. Retrieved from Penguin Random House: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/545723/i-am-not-your-perfect-mexican-daughter-by-erika-l-sanchez/

Sanchez, E. L. (2017). I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. New York: Ember.

The University of Texas at El Paso. (n.d.). How to Write a Reaction Paper or Reader Response. Retrieved from Reader Response: http://utminers.utep.edu/omwilliamson/engl0310link/readerresponse.htm