I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
Sanchez, Erika. 2019. I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. Ember. South Bend, IN. ISBN 978-1524700515
PLOT SUMMARY
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter is the story of Julia, a Mexican American teenager, living in Chicago. Julia lives in a traditional Mexican American home with her parents and her older sister, Olga. Everyone considers Julia a rebel due to her liberal ideas, particularly her desire to attend college and become a writer. Her parents, especially her mother, frequently argue with Julia over her differing ideals. Julia loves to read, learn new words, has extensive vocabulary skills, and likes to speak her mind. Olga, Julia’s sister, is quiet and obedient, and unfortunately, tragically dies in an accident. Although Julia and Olga were very different, Julia misses her sister. One day, after spending time in her sister’s room, she discovers that Olga had secrets. Julia is adamant to find out what her sister was hiding. The family believes that Olga was the perfect daughter, who followed Mexican tradition and valued her parents' advice. Upon discovering that her sister was having an affair with a married man, Julia decides to keep the secret, which in turn causes her to question her upbringing and develop depression and anxiety, which leads to her attempt at suicide.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story shares a perfect description of what a traditional Mexican American household is like. Julia describes her parents as being very strict and not allowing her to visit her friends. Julia would like to leave Chicago for college, but her parents prefer that she stays in a nearby community college. Her parents both work in jobs that are stereotypical of Mexican American families; the mother works cleaning houses, while the father works long hours in a factory. The parents left their home in Los Ojos, Mexico, to follow the American dream. However, the journey was difficult, as it is often the case for many families. Leaving behind family, culture, and language for a better life is a strenuous choice. The book describes how the “coyote” illegally crossed the parents, but stole their money and abused the mother during the trip.
Julia’s mom wants to organize a quinceañera for her, which is a dance that celebrates a girl's fifteenth birthday. Julia abhors parties and only agrees to satisfy her mother’s desires. She dislikes having to kiss all her “tias” and “tios” every time they get together, dancing, and wearing puffy dresses.
After Julia tries to commit suicide one evening, her parents decide it would be better for her to spend some time back in Mexico with her grandmother. They believe going back to her roots will inspire her to live a more obedient and simple life. At first, Julia is horrified to have to spend time in Mexico, but after a few days at her grandmother's, she realizes that family is important. She describes several typical Mexican dishes like tortillas, nopales, tamales, and menudo. Julia recounts how her grandmother teaches her how to make menudo, a typical Mexican dish. From running after the pig to cleaning its intestines, Julia is grossed out by the process. During her time in Mexico, she also realizes the dangers her family faces. During a family celebration, a group of masked men enters the party, where her uncle, surprisingly, gives them an envelope. Julia realizes these men are cooperating with the drug cartels, and the uncle has to give them money as a bribe to leave their son alone. This is a dreadful situation that many Mexican families encounter daily.
Julia also mentions several important Mexican singers, such as Mana, El Tri, Juan Gabriel, and El Buki, but always comments on how she would rather listen to American music. Unlike her parents, Julia feels more connected to her American lifestyle.
A theme that appears throughout the story is the struggle with personal identity within a Mexican American family. Her family expects her to stay home, get married, and become a mother. However, Julia has other plans of pursuing her dream of going off to college and becoming a writer.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal - “A timely and must-have account of survival in a culturally contested world.”
Booklist - “Beautifully written”
Awards:
Tomas Rivera American Children’s Book Award 2018
National Book Award Finalist
CONNECTIONS
This book makes a connection to anyone who immigrated from another country, leaving behind significant people and places.
Other related books:
The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande
The House in Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Activity: Have students find Mexican recipes that can be made in the classroom. Learn
To make aguas frescas using watermelon, cucumber, and lemon.
****************************************************************************************************
Dreamers
Morales, Yuyi. 2018. Dreamers. Neal Porter Books. New York, NY. ISBN 978-0-8234-4055-9
PLOT SUMMARY
Dreamers is a memoir about the journey of a young mother and her son as they make their way across the border to a new country, the United States. The uncertainties, the unknown, and differences make them migrants, but also allow them to learn many new things and visit fabulous places. The most astonishing place for this young mother was when she visited the public library. It was an unbelievable place for her where she felt welcome and where books became her life. Although moving to a new country was difficult, her hope, resilience, and never-ending dreams led her to a place she never imagined.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This inspiring memoir is filled with colorful and vibrant pictures that depict significant attributes in the life of Yuyi, the main character, who is the author of the book, embarks on a journey to the United States. The pictures show a dark-skinned woman and her young child with their arms outstretched to convey their love, as the words “Amor- Love- Amor” are written across the page. She is wearing a red handkerchief on her head and a colorful skirt that seems to represent lively multicolored flames. The woman is carrying a backpack with items that resemble her Mexican American culture. She carries a heart with an eye and flames that symbolize her devotion and cultural identity. There is also a skeleton or “calaca” frequently associated with the holiday in Mexico known as the Day of the Dead. There is a guitar, a pencil, and an “alebrije”, a mythical creature often seen as a spiritual guide and protector. As the story continues, there are pictures of monarch butterflies throughout the scenes. A monarch butterfly migrates every year to a different place, which is precisely what the character and her son are doing. Once she visits the library, there are many books scattered around the floor. These books symbolize their learning, as their imagination and knowledge run wild. As it is mentioned in the story, books become everything for them as they learn a new language and make the United States their home. The author includes a letter at the end of the book where she shares her personal story as she crossed the border. She also includes a bibliography of the books that inspire her and still do. As both an author and an illustrator, she writes a summary of what she used to create the book’s pictures, including Mexican crafts, acrylics, leaves, plants, and other media.
REVIEWS
School Library Journal (starred review)- “The magical art marries the succinct and powerful narrative in a resplendent celebration of literacy, language, and the transformative power of the picture book form…this excellent memoir encapsulates the fears, hopes, and dreams that come along with immigrating to a new place… A timely and much-needed selection.”
Kirkus (starred review)- “An immigrant’s tale steeped in hope, dreams, and love…Details in the art provide cultural markers specific to the U.S., but the story ultimately belongs to one immigrant mother and her son. Thanks to books and stories (some of her favorites are appended), the pair find their voices as sonadores of the world.’ A resplendent masterpiece.”
Awards:
Pura Belpre Award
CONNECTIONS
This book resonates with all immigrants who have left their homes in faraway countries to find a better place to live. While they search for a new home, they encounter difficulties, an unfamiliar language, new customs, and often feel a longing for their previous home.
Other related books:
My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero
Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez- Neal
Activity: Students use a paper bag that represents a backpack and place in it objects and pictures that depict important aspects of their culture. Then, share their items with the class and explain why they would take these specific things.
****************************************************************************************************
The Surrender Tree
Engle, Margarita. 2008. The Surrender Tree. Henry Holt & Co. LLC. New York, NY. ISBN 978-05805086744
PLOT SUMMARY
The Surrender Tree is a collection of poems written about the struggle and hardships that the Cuban community endured during their fight for Independence from Spain between 1850 and 1899. It is the story of Rosa, a former slave who became a nurse using medicinal plants and herbs found in the villages. She learns to treat soldiers, slaves, and rebels with her knowledge using herbal remedies. She marries Jose, a freed slave, and together they establish makeshift hospitals inside caves and hidden areas of the forest. A man known as Lieutenant Death, who has met Rosa since she was very young, begins to look for her, hoping to find and kill her to eliminate the symbol of hope that she has become for others. A glimpse of the “Reconcentration Policies” implemented by General Weysler from Spain is described in the book. With these policies, the Cubans were forced to leave their homes and enter into concentration camps where they suffered food shortages and famine.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The Surrender Tree is a series of narrative poems that follows the three wars for independence from Spain. The poems are written from the point of view of different characters, including Rosa, Jose, Lieutenant Death, Silvia, and General Weysler. Rosa, a freed slave, has become a nurse who is known as “La Bayamesa”. This is the name of a song about a woman from the burning city of Bayamo, which is very close to Rosa’s birthplace. Rosa is gentle, but strong in her convictions. Her healing powers and knowledge of natural remedies describe her connection to Cuba’s forests and jungles. With Rosa’s use of imagery, the reader can imagine the contrasting weather between seasons. Cuba’s weather can be filled with wild wind and raging storms, or with starry and warm nights. The constant description of the forest animals, such as the tree frogs, nightingales, bats, and hummingbirds, allows the reader to wander through Cuba’s forests and jungles. The jungle becomes both a safe place in the caves for the injured, but also a deadly battlefield during the raids.
Jose, Rosa’s husband, becomes her spiritual companion and protector, always looking out for her. Lieutenant Death is introduced in the poems as a child, but throughout the poems, he is seen as a cruel tracker of rebels. He is focused on capturing Rosa, even after she heals him from a deadly fall. His obsession with Rosa is evident and shows both his fear and admiration towards her.
Rosa’s healing abilities reflect her Afro-Cuban traditions. She is knowledgeable of herbs, plants, and flowers because of what has been taught to her by her ancestors. The story also captures the oppression of slaves during their fight for independence. The theme of resistance is seen throughout the book, as Rosa describes how these slaves would escape to be caught shortly, but would not give up and continue to do so. Rosas also shows resilience as she constantly moves through the forest, hopeful of helping others, but aware that danger is present.
Towards the end of the book, the author includes a personal note about her grandparents living in Cuba during this era. A historical note is also included, describing the characters as historical figures during the time. In addition, a chronological reference guides the reader from the early independence movements to postwar events.
Booklist (starred review)- “Engle writes her new book in clear, short lines of stirring free verse. Caught by the compelling narrative voices, many readers will want to find out more.”
School Library Journal - “Hauntingly beautiful, revealing pieces of Cuba’s troubled past through the poetry of hidden moments.”
Kirkus Reviews- “Young readers will come away inspired by these portraits of courageous ordinary people.”
Awards:
Newbery Medal
Pura Belpre Award
CONNECTIONS
This novel portrays the difficulties and sufferings faced by people whose homes are surrounded by chaos and war. Without the ability to escape, people find solace in one another and try to help those in need.
Other related books:
Across So Many Seas by Ruth Behar
Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford
Activity:
Research important events that occurred in Cuba during the 19th century. Create a timeline with these events, including illustrations.
****************************************************************************************************
My Own True Name
Mora, Pat. 2000. My Own True Name. Arte Publico Press. Houston, TX. ISBN 978-1558852921
PLOT SUMMARY
My Own True Name is a collection of poems for young adult readers that encourages them to use their voices to express themselves. This anthology of more than sixty poems is separated into three sections, which are Blooms, Thorns, and Roots. Each section is immersed in figurative language as the author describes her joys, sorrows, and the importance of family.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
A collection of more than sixty poems is compiled into three separate sections. The author uses her native language, Spanish, in some words to enhance her Mexican American heritage. In the first section called “Blooms,” one poem, titled “Mango Juice,” the author describes things she likes to do, such as eating mangoes, hitting piñatas, and listening to Mexican music. Another poem, called “The Desert is My Mother,” is translated into Spanish, titled “El Desierto es mi madre.” In this poem, the author describes how the desert is always blessing her with gifts. If she asks for food, the desert gives her a red prickly pear; if she asks it to sing to her, the desert will make the wind blow as it sings a new song. She describes her “abuelita”, or grandmother, as not wanting to learn English, but being happy when her grandchild spoke the language and presented her with a good report card. The author describes how she was among the first in her family of immigrants to attend the university, which was a new path for her family. The author implies that she is a first-generation college student, but feels the unwavering support from her family.
In the second section called “Thorns”, the author goes back in time to the early 1900s and describes a time of sorrow and difficulties. In a poem titled “Border Town: 1938, the author describes little Esperanza having long brown braids and feeling out of place. She walks by and hears the young students in a school singing English nursery rhymes, but she belongs in another school where only Mexicans go. There is a frustration and sadness in the poem’s tone as the author feels like an outcast. The theme of segregation is also mentioned in another poem where the author’s sister runs across a beach and the mother stops her and tells her not to because the beach is not for them. There is fear in the words that are written in some of the poems, where the author wants to belong to this new culture. As immigrants, the parents are trying to blend in with the new culture, eat the new food, name their children American names, and speak the new language, all for their children to belong. One of the poems titled, “Sugar”, relates a scene of the author being called a “wetback” and how she wanted to scrub her brown skin and legs to erase the discriminatory words she hears.
In the final section titled “Roots,” the author speaks about their ancestors, the white haired grandmothers and grandfathers who have left their mark in the lives of their children. She describes how she learn to write and express herself.
REVIEWS
School Library Journal, “Mora… has chosen poems with themes that are accessible to, yet challenging for teens, a few of which appear in both English and Spanish. Occasional footnotes explain historical references or Spanish phrases. The introduction encourages young writers, as do the poems themselves. This anthology speaks to a young adult audience, and it should find many readers.”
Booklist “ Interlaces with Mexican phrases and cultural phrases, these powerful selections, representing more than 15 years of work, address bicultural life and the meaning of family… the rich, symbolic imagery, raw emotion, and honesty will appeal to mature teens, and young writers will find inspiration in the arm introduction addressed to ‘Dear Fellow Writer,’ and its challenge to ‘LIsten to your inside self, your private voice…explore the wonder of being alive.’”
Awards:
The New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age List, 2001
Tayshas High School Reading List, Texas Library Association, 2001
CONNECTIONS
This book makes a connection with those who are new to a country and find a sense of wanting to belong. It also makes a connection with those who value family and their advice.
Other related books:
Born on the Border by Lorena de Luna
Citizen Illegal by Jose Olivarez
Activity:
Students can write in their journal about a time when they have felt out of place or isolated.
