Book Review: I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sanchez

When her perfect sister, Olga, is killed suddenly, young teen Julia Reyes begins to find that Olga was not as perfect as she seemed. But Julia has always been different and wanted different things, so where does that leave her?


This book is not for every reader. Julia, the main character, is sharp and cynical and can be off-putting to some. This facet of her personality may represent her opposition to what is expected of her but can come off too strongly at times and can distract from the main message of the story. The representation of culture has a negative tone as Julia seems resentful of what her culture is made up of, almost as if it is an inconvenience. While the narrative on mental health is appreciated, it is not fully flushed out and leaves it feeling like an afterthought. The true moment of cultural representation comes when Julia visits Mexico and can connect with herself in a way she was not able to in Chicago. The characters are described as having dark hair and tan/brown skin. There is some crude language present. 

"Sánchez’s prose is authentic, but it’s difficult to root for Julia because she’s so contemptuous, judgmental, and unpleasant...An abrupt plot development involving self-harm and mental illness feels forced, as does a magically life-changing trip to Mexico in the third act. This gritty contemporary novel about an unlikable first-generation Mexican-American teen fails to deliver as a coming-of-age journey."- Kirkus Review


Book Information
Sanchez, E. (2017). I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN DAUGHTER. New York: Ember. ISBN 9781524700492
 

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