I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sanchez

 

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sánchez

Reviewer: Minh, Grade 10

Star Rating: 5 stars

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter was the 2017 National Book Award nominee, and that makes sense. This extraordinary book is the story of Julia Reyes. Julia was far from her family’s definition of perfect. She was rebellious and curious, wanting to explore the world, and dreaming of moving to New York City for college. The opposite to her stay-at-home sister, Olga, who still lives at home, dresses modestly, has a respectable job, and never dates. However, Julia discovers that Olga was not as saintly as everyone believed after Olga dies tragically from being hit by a truck. And as Julia starts to investigate her dead sister’s life, her life also takes a turn. She discovers her family’s unsettling past, meeting her first boyfriend, and facing the struggle of depression. 

I love the exciting storyline of this book and the fact that it is the perfect stereotype-shattering story. On the other hand, this book has profanity and violence. Nevertheless, the world is never bubbly as it seems, and this book does a great job in showing the dim view of our society. 

This book is suitable for readers above fourteen. Overall, it’s a great book to help readers understand how badly social stereotypes can impact people’s lives, and encourage people to overcome how society perceives them to truly be themselves.