Parents' Guide to

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

By Lucinda Dyer, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Empowering, stereotype-shattering coming-of-age story.

Book Erika L. Sanchez Coming of Age 2017
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 15+

Based on 7 parent reviews

MasonFamilybooks
MasonFamilybooks Parent of 8 and 12-year-old
September 26, 2021
age 18+

Not a book for a preteen!

This book has excessive cursing, sexual language, displays disrespect towards adults (bus driver, teachers, parents, etc.), degrading of woman’s bodies, bashing political parties, drinking / drug use, and in general lacking substance for a preteen or teen for self-growth. As a parent, please don’t let your child read this book. I promise there are better books out there to pick from.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
Mdunbar
Mdunbar Parent
March 23, 2020
age 18+

Parents of children under 18 should read first

This book offers insights into the rich Mexican culture as well as the realities and hardships associated with immigration, poverty, and death. The author depicts the rarely seen or known passion and dedication of teachers and the difference they make in the life of students. This coming of age story offers hope where often times there is not a glimmer in sight. As an educator and parent, the youngest age I would be comfortable recommending this book to would be 18 unless the parent reads it ahead of time and knows what his/her child is able to handle. The book has very strong language repeatedly throughout and addresses mature issues such as sex, abortion, infidelity, attempted suicide, mental illness, drinking, and drug use. Sanchez really digs into the relationship between immigrant Mexican parents who are firm in tradition and first generation children who are "Americanized." Julia's parents struggle to hold on to and instill values and traditions into her as she veers away, striving for the better life they came to America to find. Excellent book!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 7 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN DAUGHTER, Julia Reyes lives with her parents and older sister, Olga, in a Chicago neighborhood filled with graffiti, gangs, and cockroaches. Her parents, who are both undocumented, work long, hard hours to provide as best they can for the family. For Julia's mother, Olga is the perfect Mexican daughter. She still lives at home, dresses modestly, has a respectable job, and doesn't date. In stark contrast, Julia is rebellious and often lashes out at her overprotective parents, who she feels are not supportive of her dreams of going to college in New York City. She's almost estranged from her mother, who wants to constantly know where Julia's going and what she'll be doing. After Olga is hit and killed by a truck, Julia discovers sexy underwear and the key to a Chicago hotel room among her sister's belongings. Olga, it seems, had a secret life. As Julia begins to uncover Olga's secrets, her own life takes some equally dramatic turns. She meets her first boyfriend, who's wealthy and white, her parents send her to stay with family in Mexico, hoping her behavior will change, and she battles anxiety and depression.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7):
Kids say (16):

Determined and sometimes enraging Latina teen comes of age in a story filled with shocking discoveries, family conflicts, long-buried secrets, rebellion, and reconciliation. Readers may have varied reactions to the character of Julia. For many, she'll be a role model for overcoming the odds and going after your dreams. For others, her often judgmental and dismissive attitude (even toward things like the quinceañera that means so much to her mother) may well be a turnoff.

While the main storyline is extremely strong and compelling, the novel has enough subplots (Julia's wealthy white boyfriend, being forced to leave school for a time and live with family in Mexico, a gay friend, mental health issues) that some readers may have a hard time keeping track of where the story is going.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how overprotective Julia's parents are in I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. What's a good middle ground between giving teens unlimited freedom and monitoring their every move? Are there times your parents seem overprotective?

  • What cultural traditions do you celebrate in your family? Why do you think Julia was so resistant to celebrating her quinceañera?

  • Do you know anyone who's dealing with anxiety or depression? Do they keep this a secret, or are they open about it to their friends? How would students at your school react if they discovered someone had attempted suicide?

Book Details

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