Breaking down cultural expectations in YA

Sol Garcia | THE RIDER

When students are assigned a book for class, they often start the book with reluctance and dread. Book lovers aren’t always an exception because the stress of grades can dull the pleasure from reading. That’s how I felt when I was assigned “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter,” especially because I haven’t felt like reading young adult (YA) books lately. 

Luckily for me and my grades, Erika Sanchez’s 2017 book quickly dispelled any negative feelings. 

The book focuses on Julia Reyes, and as can be guessed from the title, she’s not the perfect Mexican daughter. That was her sister, Olga, until she died. Julia’s parents haven’t recovered from their oldest daughter’s death. Her mother won’t come out of the room and when she finally does, she seems to criticize Julia’s every move. Meanwhile, her father barely speaks to her at all, but that’s been occurring since before Olga’s death.

Set in Chicago, Julia has to navigate against negative cultural norms including sexism and shame. She struggles with poverty, the yearning for independence that is met with disappointment and consuming grief. Julia and Olga may not have been the closest when Olga died, but that doesn’t lessen the pain from losing a sibling. It doesn’t make it any easier when Julia’s mother constantly compares her to Olga. 

As the story progresses, Julia speaks out against these expectations. She is not Olga, who was content with staying home or who never wanted more for herself. At least, that’s how Olga always seemed …

Julia soon realizes Olga may have not been so perfect herself. 

This family-centered story is the best choice to read as Thanksgiving approaches. In one chapter, Julia recounts a Thanksgiving spent with her family when she questioned why the women had to cook all day while the men got the privilege of sitting around. Obviously, our feminist protagonist isn’t one for accepting “that’s the way it’s always been.” 

Does that mean Julia is automatically likable? No. 

Julia’s only in her junior year in the beginning of the book; she’s still young enough to make some mistakes.  At times, Julia is quick to pass judgment, even toward her best friend. Of course, it’s only fair to point out that was the way Julia was raised, and spoiler, she seems to overcome those ideals by the end. 

After finishing the book in just a few days, I immediately asked, “Why had I not read this book sooner, and more important, why had I not been exposed to it sooner?” 

Throughout my public-school education, my English classes’ curriculum only included a few Mexican American novels, most notably, Sandra Cisneros’ “The House on Mango Street.” That doesn’t mean I wasn’t exposed to good books, but I was rarely exposed to Chicanx books. With such a high Mexican American population, it would be expected that local schools would include more works by Chicanx authors. I wish that this book was one of those. 

As great as this book is, though, it’s not for everyone. Sanchez wanted to create a real depiction of a young Chicana’s experiences. When households and cultures don’t encourage speaking about feelings, mental health can decline. Sanchez is authentically honest about this, but it can be triggering for many readers. Depression, anxiety, abuse and sexual assault is portrayed in this story. 

Whether it’s for class or pleasure, everyone in the Rio Grande Valley–who can handle such deep topics–should read “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.” Even if the experience of a Chicana in Chicago is different from the experience of Chicanx in the Valley, there is still relevancy in each page. There are cultural expectations and outside barriers that we must all strive to not only overcome but abolish. 

“I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2017) receives a sunny rating of:  ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼. 

Reviews are based on five suns.