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I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter Hardcover – October 17, 2017
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“Alive and crackling—a gritty tale wrapped in a page-turner. ”—The New York Times
Perfect Mexican daughters do not go away to college. And they do not move out of their parents’ house after high school graduation. Perfect Mexican daughters never abandon their family.
But Julia is not your perfect Mexican daughter. That was Olga’s role.
Then a tragic accident on the busiest street in Chicago leaves Olga dead and Julia left behind to reassemble the shattered pieces of her family. And no one seems to acknowledge that Julia is broken, too. Instead, her mother seems to channel her grief into pointing out every possible way Julia has failed.
But it’s not long before Julia discovers that Olga might not have been as perfect as everyone thought. With the help of her best friend Lorena, and her first love, first everything boyfriend Connor, Julia is determined to find out. Was Olga really what she seemed? Or was there more to her sister’s story? And either way, how can Julia even attempt to live up to a seemingly impossible ideal?
- Print length352 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherKnopf Books for Young Readers
- Publication dateOctober 17, 2017
- Grade level9 - 12
- Reading age14 - 17 years
- Dimensions5.88 x 1.13 x 8.56 inches
- ISBN-101524700487
- ISBN-13978-1524700485
- Lexile measureHL730L
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From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
“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 standout.” —NPR
“A wonderfully complex and interesting character.” —Los Angeles Review of Books
“Blistering. Julia’s persona rockets off the page and into your face from the get-go.” —Christian Science Monitor
“If you ever wanted to [understand] the harsh truths of immigrant life, this is the book you need to read.” —Bustle
“As poignant as it is incisive.” —AV Club
“An earnest and heartfelt tale.” —Booklist
“A timely and must-have account of survival in a culturally contested world.” —SLJ, Starred
“Beautifully written.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review
"Ultimately, it’s Julia herself who’s the key to the novel... She’ll resonate with many readers, and they’ll be glad to see her make it through a tough time." —The Bulletin, starred review
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
What’s surprised me most about seeing my sister dead is the lingering smirk on her face. Her pale lips are turned up ever so slightly, and someone has filled in her patchy eyebrows with a black pencil. The top half of her face is angry--like she’s ready to stab someone--and the bottom half is almost smug. This is not the Olga I knew. Olga was as meek and fragile as a baby bird.
I wanted her to wear the pretty purple dress that didn’t hide her body like all of her other outfits, but Amá chose the bright yellow one with the pink flowers I’ve always hated. It was so unstylish, so classically Olga. It made her either four or eighty years old. I could never decide which. Her hair is just as bad as the dress--tight, crunchy curls that remind me of a rich lady’s poodle. How cruel to let her look like that. The bruises and gashes on her cheeks are masked with thick coats of cheap foundation, making her face haggard, even though she is (was) only twenty-two. Don’t they pump your body full of strange chemicals to prevent your skin from stretching and puckering, to keep your face from resembling a rubber mask? Where did they find this mortician, the flea market?
My poor older sister had a special talent for making herself less attractive. She was skinny and had an okay body, but she always managed to make it look like a sack of potatoes. Her face was pale and plain, never a single drop of makeup. What a waste. I’m no fashion icon--far from it--but I do feel strongly against dressing like the elderly. Now she’s doing it from beyond the grave, but this time it’s not even her fault.
Olga never looked or acted like a normal twenty-two-year-old. It made me mad sometimes. Here she was, a grown-ass woman, and all she did was go to work, sit at home with our parents, and take one class each semester at the local community college. Every once and a while, she’d go shopping with Amá or to the movies with her best friend, Angie, to watch terrible romantic comedies about clumsy but adorable blond women who fall in love with architects in the streets of New York City. What kind of life is that? Didn’t she want more? Didn’t she ever want to go out and grab the world by the balls? Ever since I could pick up a pen, I’ve wanted to be a famous writer. I want to be so successful that people stop me on the street and ask, “Oh my God, are you Julia Reyes, the best writer who has ever graced this earth?” All I know is that I’m going to pack my bags when I graduate and say, “Peace out, mothafuckas.”
But not Olga. Saint Olga, the perfect Mexican daughter. Sometimes I wanted to scream at her until something switched on in her brain. But the only time I ever asked her why she didn’t move out or go to a real college, she told me to leave her alone in a voice so weak and brittle, I never wanted to ask her again. Now I’ll never know what Olga would have become. Maybe she would have surprised us all.
Here I am, thinking all of these horrible thoughts about my dead sister. It’s easier to be pissed, though. If I stop being angry, I’m afraid I’ll fall apart until I’m just a warm mound of flesh on the floor.
While I stare at my chewed-up nails and sink deeper into this floppy green couch, I hear Amá wailing. She really throws her body into it, too. “Mija, mija!” she screams as she practically climbs inside the casket. Apá doesn’t even try to pull her off. I can’t blame him, because when he tried to calm her down a few hours ago, Amá kicked and flailed her arms until she gave him a black eye. I guess he’s going to leave her alone for now. She’ll tire herself out eventually. I’ve seen babies do that.
Apá has been sitting in the back of the room all day, refusing to speak to anyone, staring off into nothing, like he always does. Sometimes I think I see his dark mustache quivering, but his eyes stay dry and clear as glass.
I want to hug Amá and tell her it’s going to be okay, even though it’s not and never will be, but I feel almost paralyzed, like I’m underwater and made of lead. When I open my mouth, nothing comes out. Besides, Amá and I haven’t had that kind of relationship since I was little. We don’t hug and say, “I love you,” like on TV shows about boring white families who live in two-story houses and talk about their feelings. She and Olga were practically best friends, and I was the odd daughter out. We’ve been bickering, drifting away from each other for years. I’ve spent so much of my life trying to avoid Amá because we always end up arguing over stupid, petty things. We once fought about an egg yolk, for instance. True story.
Apá and I are the only ones in my family who haven’t cried. He just hangs his head and remains silent as a stone. Maybe something is wrong with us. Maybe we’re messed up beyond crying. Though my eyes haven’t produced tears, I’ve felt the grief burrow in every cell of my body. There are moments that I feel like I might suffocate, as if all my insides are tied into a tight little ball. I haven’t taken a crap in almost four days, but I’m not about to tell Amá in the state she’s in. I’ll just let it build until I explode like a piñata.
Amá has always been prettier than Olga, even now, with her swollen eyes and splotchy skin, which is not the way it’s supposed to be. Her name is more graceful, too--Amparo Montenegro Reyes. Mothers are not supposed to be more beautiful than their daughters, and daughters are not supposed to die before their mothers. But Amá is more attractive than most people. She hardly has any wrinkles and has these big, round eyes that always look sad and wounded. Her long hair is thick and dark, and her body is still slim, unlike the other moms in the neighborhood who are shaped like upside-down pears. Every time I walk down the street with Amá, guys whistle and honk, which makes me wish I carried a slingshot.
Amá is rubbing Olga’s face and crying softly now. This won’t last, though. She’s always quiet for a few minutes, then, all of a sudden, lets out a moan that makes your soul turn inside out. Now Tía Cuca is rubbing her back and telling her that Olga is with Jesus, that she can finally be in peace.
Product details
- Publisher : Knopf Books for Young Readers (October 17, 2017)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 352 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1524700487
- ISBN-13 : 978-1524700485
- Reading age : 14 - 17 years
- Lexile measure : HL730L
- Grade level : 9 - 12
- Item Weight : 15.8 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.88 x 1.13 x 8.56 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #20,127 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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About the authors
Erika L. Sánchez is the daughter of Mexican immigrants. A poet, essayist, and fiction writer, she is the author of a young adult novel, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2017), a National Book Award Finalist, and the poetry collection, Lessons on Expulsion (Graywolf, 2017), a finalist of the Pen America Open Book Award. Her nonfiction has been published in Al Jazeera, Cosmopolitan, ESPN.com, the Guardian, NBC News, Rolling Stone, Salon, and elsewhere. She has received a CantoMundo Fellowship, a Discovery/Boston Review Poetry Prize, a Fulbright Scholarship to Madrid, Spain, and a Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowship from the Poetry Foundation. She is a 2017-2019 Princeton Arts Fellow.
Follow her on Twitter: @ErikaLSanchez
Instagram: @ErikaLSanchez
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writererikalsanchez
Website: erikalsanchez.com
Miguel Angel García- Sánchez , tireless traveler , self-taught freelance photographer and publisher of several online media is a freethinker and active intellectual agitator , which seeks to provoke through his work a deep reflection on man and society , denouncing in particular cynicism and hypocrisy that , in his opinion , hinder and impede the development of the individual as a free citizen in a more just society .
He attended technical computer studies (BSc Computer Engineering) , studies of Computer Systems Engineering and a Master's degree in Management and Business Administration , which has led him to work in several multinationals in and out of Spain in the field of new technologies , combining such professional activity with teaching at various public and private institutions such as the City of Rivas- Vaciamadrid , Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid Institute of Health or Julian Besteiro School General Workers Union , among others.
It has numerous published articles, directed and presented various cultural and social cycles of conferences in the Ateneo de Madrid. He is a member of the Royal Photographic Society, the Internet Society and the Ateneo de Madrid, among others.
Through his work seeks to provoke a reflection on yourself , man and society. Due to solipsism marking his philosophy of life in his work makes a critical cynicism and hypocrisy, which in his opinion , " hinder and impede the development of the individual as a free citizen ."
In October 2012 , published black Verses [ UNCENSORED ] , illustrated by Yolanda Palomo del Castillo and prefaced by Alejandro Jodorowsky , part of the dirty realism , based on the assertion that Egon Schiele "The work of erotic art also has sanctity " . This same title features a special edition for Amazon .
Case in 2011 Opinion Digital digital magazine.
(* ) On the use of the images on this page copyright :
The images appearing in it were provided by the author and unequivocally right holder thereof for free use in the community for any purpose. Are therefore assigned to the public domain .
The copyright of the images of the same published on this site , Miguel Angel Garcia- Sanchez , authorizing the use thereof for any purpose, provided said copyright will be properly attributed to its owner and holder .
Redistribution , derivative work , commercial use , and any other are allowed.
Redistribution, derivative work, commercial use and any other are allowed.
The copyright holder of the images of himself that are published in this webpage, Miguel Angel Garcia-Sanchez, allows anyone to use them for any purpose, provided that the copyright holder is properly attributed. Redistribution, derivative work, commercial use, and all other use is permitted.
Attribution: Miguel Angel Garcia-Sanchez
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The author narrates the life of Julia, a bold and rebellious teen, after her ‘perfect’ sister, Olga, dies in an accident. Julia is a complex character who feels left out from her family as she has always been different and expectations to what a Mexican lady should and shouldn’t do are always present reminded by her mother. Different from Julia, Olga seemed to be the perfect daughter, always helping around the house, doing what her parents wanted her to do, obeying the rules, and going to a close to home college. Nevertheless, Julia finds out some strange objects in Olga’s room that arouses curiosity and makes Julia question whether Olga was actually as innocent and a goody two shoes as she made it seem. With determination and help of her best friend as well as lover, Julia seeks to find the truth about her dead sister’s hidden, intriguing life.
As previously mentioned, Julia lives in a household where expectations and limitations are always present. Erika Sanchez does an amazing job portraying how the life of a Mexican young girl is. I felt greatly identified as I grew up in a strict, Mexican household. There are all these responsibilities thrown at girls from a very young age. They’re expected to be the ones staying at home, helping mothers cook, clean, etc. while the guys just go work or stay home doing nothing or at times, just drinking. Julia, however, opposes to these norms, but feels guilty for it as her mother always compares her to her sister and even boasts about how great Olga was. Sanchez creates a strong, hard-headed character and gives motives for her defiant actions, which because of her actions and personality, a captivating plot is produced.
I could really relate to Julia and her personality; she’s smart, reserved, loves reading and writing, and doesn’t follow on the expectations her Mexican family have. Since I can remember, I was always expected to clean the house, wash clothes, and cook. I’m expected to clean all the mess even if it’s all my brothers and I absolutely hate that. This book felt close to home as I’ve had similar thought that Julia had. Additionally, alike her, I am often compared to my siblings to notice how one is better at some things than the other, which is actually really upsetting. Erika L. Sanchez’s novel had a positive impact on me because her life was relatable and her story was truly captivating.
“I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” is genuinely one of the best books I’ve read since I could really identify with the protagonist. The plot of Julia’s story is interesting and keeps readers entertained while also revealing the truth about how Mexican families are. I believe it sets an important message to people, mainly teenagers. We are too often pushed to our limits and people still expect more from us. Teens are expected to always obey their parents and do everything they want, especially in Mexican families, where everyone has a significant role. In her novel, Sanchez reveals how everyone has secrets and literally no one is perfect, but that is okay, that’s how life is.
My favorite character in was definitely Lorena; she’s quirky in the way she dresses, but she’s a total badass in the way she carries herself and who she is as a person overall. I thought she was pretty funny at times and I did resonate with her, probably about fifty percent of the time. Something I didn’t really like about her though was how she treated Julia when Juanga was around at the start of their friendship (Lorena and Juanga’s), but Julia also had her faults in their interactions at that time in their relationship.
One thing that bugged me throughout was how Julia had a tendency to be overly judgmental about things that she had no business judging, but she’s aware of that and she admits to it, so I’ll give her personality points for that. I also don’t like that she judges herself so harshly for feeling human emotions and reacting the way she does and has no control over; I don’t like when anyone does that, though, so this comment wasn’t really specific to this novel, but it applies.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in YA hooks overall, especially if you prefer books that contain topics more on the heavy side of the genre, and for anyone who read (and liked) American Panda by Gloria Chao; the two books have similar themes, especially those concerning family.
In this book, neither Erika L. Sánchez nor Julia Reyes chooses to pull any punches or sugarcoat things, so be ready for this funny, unapologetic, slightly heart-wrenching book about being imperfect in a world (and a family) that is constantly telling you to be perfect.
****trigger warnings (of the book): death, suicide, mental illness, sex, pregnancy, implications of rape, some drug, and alcohol use(minimal), gun use(minimal)****
Top reviews from other countries
Erika L. Sánchez schafft es die Perspektive eines Teenagers zu treffen, der zwischen Familientraditionen und einer neuen Welt seinen Platz sucht. Auch wenn die Familie hier aus Mexiko kommt, kann man dieses Gefühl kulturell „zwischen den Stühlen“ zu sitzen gut nachempfinden. Ähnlich wie beim Fänger im Roggen ist die Hauptfigur nicht einfach zu mögen, die Entscheidungen werden von versteckten Emotionen blockiert. Das macht diese Geschichte jedoch so authentisch.
Der Schreibstil ist flüssig, und auch für Nicht-Englischmuttersprachler recht gut zu verstehen, da es sich um ein Jugendbuch handelt. Die Autorin lässt manchmal ein spanisches Wort einfließen, schließlich sind alle Charaktere Mexican Americans. Das stört aber nicht, weil es bekannte Wörter wie señora oder sie erklärt das Wort anschließend. Das Buch gibt ein eindrückliches Bild davon, wie eine Familie mit dem Tod einer Tochter/Schwester umgeht, wie die vermeintliche Idealvorstellung einer Tochter aussieht und was es heißt, als Tochter einer mexikanischen Mutter aufzuwachsen.
Das Buch hat mir wirklich gut gefallen!
Ausgabe/Format: Für das Format möchte ich eigentlich 2 Sterne abziehen, aber 3 Sterne sind für den Roman zu wenig! Die Fotos zeigen, wie klein die Ausgabe ist (ca. 10x8 cm/ungefähr Din A 6). Das Format passt also in jede Tasche, was an sich nicht schlecht ist, aber sehr ungewöhnlich. Noch störender empfand ich die Innenseiten. Ich hatte mich schon gewundert, dass das Buch über 600 Seiten hat. Das liegt daran, dass das Buch um 90° gedreht werden muss und eine Doppelseite dann von oben nach unten beschrieben ist. Man klappt also von unten nach oben um, nicht von rechts nach links. Die Blätter sind pergamentdünn, wie bei einem Telefonbuch. So klappt man häufig zwei Seiten um und vor allem, scheint häufig die nächste Seite schon durch.
Der Druck wurde auch nicht gründlich gesetzt oder anschließend nicht mehr kontrolliert, immer wieder fehlen Leerzeichen und zwei Wörter sind zusammengeschrieben, was in einer Fremdsprache noch verwirrender ist als in der Muttersprache.
In einer anderen Ausgabe hätte ich dem Buch 5* gegeben!
Reviewed in Germany on June 19, 2021
Der Schreibstil ist flüssig, und auch für Nicht-Englischmuttersprachler recht gut zu verstehen, da es sich um ein Jugendbuch handelt. Die Autorin lässt manchmal ein spanisches Wort einfließen, schließlich sind alle Charaktere Mexican Americans. Das stört aber nicht, weil es bekannte Wörter wie señora oder sie erklärt das Wort anschließend. Das Buch gibt ein eindrückliches Bild davon, wie eine Familie mit dem Tod einer Tochter/Schwester umgeht, wie die vermeintliche Idealvorstellung einer Tochter aussieht und was es heißt, als Tochter einer mexikanischen Mutter aufzuwachsen.
Das Buch hat mir wirklich gut gefallen!
Ausgabe/Format: Für das Format möchte ich eigentlich 2 Sterne abziehen, aber 3 Sterne sind für den Roman zu wenig! Die Fotos zeigen, wie klein die Ausgabe ist (ca. 10x8 cm/ungefähr Din A 6). Das Format passt also in jede Tasche, was an sich nicht schlecht ist, aber sehr ungewöhnlich. Noch störender empfand ich die Innenseiten. Ich hatte mich schon gewundert, dass das Buch über 600 Seiten hat. Das liegt daran, dass das Buch um 90° gedreht werden muss und eine Doppelseite dann von oben nach unten beschrieben ist. Man klappt also von unten nach oben um, nicht von rechts nach links. Die Blätter sind pergamentdünn, wie bei einem Telefonbuch. So klappt man häufig zwei Seiten um und vor allem, scheint häufig die nächste Seite schon durch.
Der Druck wurde auch nicht gründlich gesetzt oder anschließend nicht mehr kontrolliert, immer wieder fehlen Leerzeichen und zwei Wörter sind zusammengeschrieben, was in einer Fremdsprache noch verwirrender ist als in der Muttersprache.
In einer anderen Ausgabe hätte ich dem Buch 5* gegeben!