I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

Erika L. Sánchez

Oct 2017 · Sold by Knopf Books for Young Readers

About this ebook

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A “stunning” (America Ferrera) YA novel about a teenager coming to terms with losing her sister and finding herself amid the pressures, expectations, and stereotypes of growing up in a Mexican American home.

“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?

Ratings and reviews

I really enjoyed this book, I saw a lot of similarities between myself and the main character Julia. I was also born and raised in Chicago, Im also first generation Mexican-American as well. It was very refreshing to hear about how her parents are and all the places in Chicago. all to similiar to me LOL! I could also relate to her rebellious attitude and outlook on life. Also her love for New Order & Depeche Mode. I read this book in three, it's that good. I will look for more books by this author. :)

I needed to read this! To know that I was not alone. Our Mexican culture has a lot of good yet, a lot of bad In terms of interpersonal communication. Our relationships can be confusing or complicated with our parents. This book is an instant favorite of mine and must read, for any Mexican American.

I loved it i have the hardcover copy and its amazing, it really shows hows its like to live in the city while being a mexican daughter. I can really relate to the main character.

About the author

Erika L. Sánchez is a poet, a feminist, and a cheerleader for young women everywhere. She was the sex and love advice columnist for Cosmopolitan for Latinas for three years, and her writing has appeared in the Rolling Stone, Salon, and the Paris Review. Since she was a 12-year-old nerd in giant bifocals and embroidered vests, Erika has dreamed of writing complex, empowering stories about girls of color—what she wanted to read as a young adult. She lives in Chicago, not far from the setting of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. Erika is fluent in Spanish, Spanglish, and cat. You can find out more about her at erikalsanchez.com or @erikalsanchez.