I Am Not Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez

  1. I am not your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez



  1. Bibliography

Sanchez, Erika L. 2019. I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN DAUGHTER.

Toronto, ON; Penguin Random House Canada. ISBN 1524700517


  1. Plot Summary

This is the story of Julia Reyes, a 17 year old high school senior, looking forward to

graduating and going off to college. Julia is trying to overcome the sudden death of her

sister from a bus accident, while still attempting to please her overbearing and never

satisfied Mexican immigrant parents. Through pain and time, Julie learns to love and

accept her family for who they are and to understand what challenges they endured in

their past lives to make them the way they are. 


  1. Critical Analysis (Including cultural markers)

This story pulled at my heartstrings in more ways than one. There were so many layers

to this book and I absolutely loved it! Although there were some more mature and

graphic themes in this novel, I would recommend this story to high school girls,

especially those that can relate to the hispanic aspect. 

At one point in the story, Julie returns to Mexico to visit her relatives. I think this is the

climax, and ultimately the turning point in the story, where Julie finally understands why

her mother is the way she is. Likewise, the reader is able to grasp the importance of

family and hard work that comes with the hispanic culture. It is while Julie is in Mexico,

that many of the cultural symbols shine through. As already stated, family is very

important to the hispanic culture. Although the Reyes family was rather poor, they were

happiest when they had each other. Also, the men worked manual labor jobs for long

hours everyday while the women stayed home and kept house and cared for the children.

Another cultural trend that was made apparent was how the drug and illegal substance

‘business’ played a dramatic role in the Reyes family. All of these culture queues help to

balance this story of lost and heartache. 


  1. Review Excerpts

Kirkus Review: “This gritty contemporary novel about an unlikable first-generation Mexican-American teen fails

to deliver as a coming-of-age journey.” 


Common Sense Media: “Determined and sometimes enraging Latina teen comes of age in a

story filled with shocking discoveries, family conflicts, long-buried secrets, rebellion, and

reconciliation.”


  1. Connections

Look for these other books for young people:


Acevedo, Elizabeth. THE POET X. ISBN 0062662813.


Acevedo, Elizabeth. WITH THE FIRE ON HIGH. ISBN 006266283X.


Acevedo, Elizabeth. CLAP WHEN YOU LAND. ISBN 0062882767.

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