I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

By: Erika L. Sánchez

Narrated by: Kyla Garcia

National Book Award for Young People's Literature

Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award

#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?

©2017 Erika L. Sánchez (P)2017 Listening Library

Critic reviews

“I fell in love with Erika L. Sánchez’ stunning novel....The depth, wit and searing intelligence of her writing, and her young Latina heroine, struck me to my core and left me wanting so much more."—America Ferrera, Emmy award-winning actress in Ugly Betty

“This book will change everything. . . . A perfect book about imperfection.”—Juan Felipe Herrera, Poet Laureate of the United States

“Unique and fresh.”—Entertainment Weekly

Culture and Mental health

loved the intersection between culture and mental health. its raw and beautiful. The author is authentic

Enjoyed

Didn’t expect the perfect anything in this book, other than being able to relate to the characters. It brought good- ad- indifferent memories, but overall enjoyable. My passengers enjoyed, my friends, and family did as well. Why? Because if you ride with me you listen to what I listen too.

Excellent!

I loved listening to the book being read by a Latina! The book had so much that I related to and I really enjoyed it!

Excellent book!!!

I love everything about this book. It was funny and sad at the same time.

Do a follow up

I want to know what happens next in her life. How does the rest of life go. You get very invested in the characters .

great story, voice was hard to listen to

I loved the story, I honestly almost did not give it a chance. The reader choosen for this book was very masquerade. She sounded like a person trying to be someone she wasn't. It was hard to listen to it consistently, because I wanted to just read it for myself. If it wasn't for the washy reader I would give it 5 stars. I appreciate the resources provided at the end. I think it would be a good idea to have a trigger warning for survivors of trauma at the opening of the book. I did read similar feedback in prior comments; so I was forewarned.

Amazing!!

As a Latina, I identified with the character. One can understand each feel the character felt. This book is so diverse; It has mystery, drama, comedy etc. The words are so detailed and organized its literally like watching a movie!

Reminded me of my teenage years

Listening to this story it completely set me back in time 14 years ago growing up first generation Mexican and feeling like I never fit in with my family and being under constant scrutiny. Everything about Julia’s life sounded all too familiar and brought back painful memories, and how it shaped me as an adult. I’m sure many other girls can relate. It made my inner teenage self feel like I wasn’t alone and the only one going through feeling like you would never be good enough for your parents and that you were ungrateful for all of their sacrifices. I’ve been recommending this to any of my friends because I’m sure it will take them a trip down memory lane.

A very relatable story

Listening to the raw details of the experiences that many of us have been through, was a bit comforting.. . in a weird kind of way. Some of us have had some pretty disturbing experiences that must never be spoken about... but we didn’t let it screw up our lives. :)

great

I was all into it and was sad when it abruptly ended. great story especially from the middle.