Scan barcode
bookishevy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
To Julia's mother, she is not the perfect Mexican daughter. She doesn't like learning how to cook and has no intentions of having children. The opposite of her older sister Olga, bookish Julia can't wait to leave home for college in NYC and become a writer.
When Olga dies in a tragic accident on the busiest street in Chicago, Julia is left to pick up the pieces of her family. Julia's parents don't see that she is also broken. Instead of consoling Julia, her Ama copes with her grief by pointing out all the ways Julia is not like Olga, exacerbating Julia's own grief.
When Julia finds clues that point to Olga leading a double life, she's determined to find out who Olga was texting before the accident.
Sanchez shows the struggle immigrant parents face with instilling their cultural values into their first-generation American children. Olga is the standard that Julia is held up to. Julia is regularly punished for daring to want a life outside their home. Meanwhile, Olga had a secret life that would have scandalized their parents.
Some Goodreads reviewers hate Julia, but I like her. She's a typical angsty teen, but she's also coping with a loss. Yes, she's irritable and combative, but that's how depression manifests in some people. Her sister is dead, Ama is like a warden, she lives in poverty and is surrounded by gang violence. She wants out, and she feels hopeless and alone.
Her parents feel like they're not enough. I agree. Julia's intelligent but judgemental of her parents' culture because they're so conservative. She needs to show them some grace. They're only projecting their anxieties about the world onto her because of what they endured while crossing the border. But they must learn that suffocating Julia is doing more harm than good.
Finding out the truth about Olga's secret life doesn't help Julia relate to her sister any better. Olga was still oppressed and not putting herself first. Julia is determined to get an education and find her own identity.
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Child abuse and Mental illness
themadbloodstone's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The author wrote Julia and her family so authentically, it felt like I was her and the Reyes family was my family. I can definitely see this being a classic in the future that the next generation will read in schools and find growth and love in.
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child abuse and Suicide attempt
Minor: Gun violence
dar0822's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
demarqk2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Minor: Child abuse, Mental illness, and Self harm
mj_86's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Death, Fatphobia, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Child abuse, Racial slurs, Self harm, and Pregnancy
elisa26's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child abuse and Homophobia
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
mromie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Xenophobia
zoelri's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Violence, Abortion, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual assault
squatruhh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and Deportation
sweetmusic22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter is for anybody who has dealt with complicated family members and grief. If you are in the right head-space to read it, I strongly suggest it. However, if you are not in the right mind to read something like this, I'd skip it! Other than that, this is one of those books that I am never going to forget. I haven't read a book that has touched a nerve in me since The Perks of Being A Wallflower. 10/10 would recommend again and again!
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Homophobia and Pregnancy
Minor: Child abuse and Physical abuse