Common Sense Media Review
By Darienne Stewart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Creative Latina finds her voice and pride in spirited tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
THE FIRST RULE OF PUNK is to be yourself. Twelve-year-old Malú is trying to be herself, but her mom (nicknamed "SuperMexican") pesters her to behave like una señorita, her new school says her preferred makeup and clothing violates the dress code, and a classmate calls her a "coconut": brown on the outside, white on the inside. Malú is excited when she falls in with a group of similarly spirited kids and they start a band. When the principal says they're too loud to participate in a talent show celebrating the school's Mexican namesake, Malú surprises herself with her resolve, her growing appreciation of her heritage, and her strong voice.
Is It Any Good?
In her bright, Latino-themed middle school misfit story, Celia C. Pérez shows how creative sparks fly when a frustrated punk girl takes a fresh look at her Mexican heritage and her unfolding future. Malú's search to find her people in The First Rule of Punk of course is a journey to find herself: She starts off full of ideas but unsure how to act on them once she's yanked out of her familiar life. She's a smart, engaging heroine, and Pérez surrounds her with wonderful women: an elderly neighbor, the punk-loving owner of a coffee shop, and her own mother, plus role models like punk musician Poly Styrene and artist Frida Kahlo.
Malú loves punk as a force for good: courage, resourcefulness, creativity, confidence, and kindness. Her embrace of punk music as a lifestyle and philosophical lens may encourage readers to think about their own worldview -- and to grab paper and scissors to craft their own zines.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about creativity and self-expression in The First Rule of Punk. Malú makes zines, listens to music, and starts performing herself -- what are your creative outlets?
Do you sometimes bristle at family expectations for you, like Malú does?
Malú and her friends take elements of traditional Mexican culture and transform them into something new. How do you feel about changing familiar traditions and customs?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Friendship , History , School ( Middle School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Viking Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : August 22, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 336
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Awards : ALA Best and Notable Books , Pura Belpré Awards and Honors
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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