First Gen

A Memoir

By: Alejandra Campoverdi

Narrated by: Alejandra Campoverdi

An unflinching memoir and "invaluable resource" (Kirkus) about navigating social mobility as a first gen Latina—offering both a riveting personal story and an examination of the unacknowledged emotional tolls of being a trailblazer.

Alejandra Campoverdi has been a child on welfare, a White House aide to President Obama, a Harvard graduate, a gang member’s girlfriend, and a candidate for U.S. Congress. She’s ridden on Air Force One and in G-rides. She’s been featured in Maxim magazine and had a double mastectomy. Living a life of contradictory extremes often comes with the territory when you’re a “First and Only.” It also comes at a price.

With candor and heart, Alejandra retraces her trajectory as a Mexican American woman raised by an immigrant single mother in Los Angeles. Foregoing the tidy bullet points of her resume and instead shining a light on the spaces between them, what emerges is a powerful testimony that shatters the one-dimensional glossy narrative we are often sold of what it takes to achieve the American Dream. In this timely and revealing reflection, Alejandra draws from her own experiences to name and frame the challenges First and Onlys often face, illuminating a road to truth, healing, and change in the process.

Part memoir, part manifesto, FIRST GEN is a story of generational inheritance, aspiration, and the true meaning of belonging—a gripping journey to “reclaim the parts of ourselves we sacrificed in order to survive.”

*A NATIONAL BESTSELLER*
Winner of the Martin Cruz Smith Award (CALIBA)
2024 Council for Opportunity in Education National Book Club Selection
Longlisted for the Outstanding Works of Literature (OWL) Award for First Year Experience

Critic reviews

“FIRST GEN is a gift to all of us--the children of immigrants who have longed to read a story like ours in books. With vulnerability and transparency, Campoverdi gives us special access to so many setbacks, triumphs, and hard-won lessons as a First and Only. Every Latina hoping to end cycles of generational trauma must read this immediately.”
—Erika L. Sanchez, New York Times bestselling author of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

“FIRST GEN is a luminous achievement, one of the most moving debuts in memory… Campoverdi transforms the furies, hypocrisies and disappointments of the American dream into a survivor’s song of surpassing poignancy… this is literary love medicine, a book you will not soon forget.”—Junot Diaz, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of New York Times bestsellers The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao and This is How You Lose Her

"Intimate and unflinching, First Gen reveals the very real human and emotional costs to living the "American Dream." Alejandra Campoverdi shines a guiding light for fellow "First and Onlys" who struggle to overcome systemic barriers while detangling generational trauma. No discussion of America's supposed meritocracy is complete without consideration of this book."
—Qian Julie Wang, New York Times bestselling author of Beautiful Country: A Memoir of An Undocumented Childhood

"I wish this book existed when I was a first generation student navigating the alienating world of academia and the mostly white workplaces thereafter. Campoverdi’s writing is honest, healing, and empowering. First Gen has made me feel seen and less alone."
—Javier Zamora, New York Times bestselling author of Solito

"A profoundly moving story of how one woman grew to appreciate that the painful challenges and self doubt inherent in being the first and only, were also the source of her extraordinary superpowers. First Gen will inspire countless readers to follow in the path she blazed."—Valerie Jarrett, former Senior Adviser to President Barack Obama and New York Times bestselling author of Finding My Voice

"Alejandra is the definitive voice for first generation young people who maintain their heritage while achieving their ambitions."—Norma Kamali, Fashion Icon and Designer

“FIRST GEN captures the emotional and physical agility required to break generational glass ceilings. Alejandra’s captivating memoir reminds us to be bold and brave on race relations be it in the boardroom or the Oval Office.”—Mellody Hobson, Co-CEO and President of Ariel Investments

Memorable and Momentous Memoir

Powerfully woven tale of growing up first and only. The difficulties Campoverdi faced kept her in a constant state of fight or flight. The eight themes she mentions are a great way to capture her experience and relate to others. Parentified child, imposter syndrome plus, and breakaway guilt, are just some of the themes she shares. Particularly touching for people who have similar circumstances, but also a book everyone can benefit from, First Gen takes us into the authors world and we all come out better as a result.

Honesty Like I’ve Never Heard on the Topic

I really enjoyed the transparency of the author and the way in which she encourages a path forward.

Interesting and captivating

A great story and retelling if a first gen life. It has so much relevance to so many people. I loved it!

Must Read!

I laughed, I cried and inspired deep reflection. As a first gen Latina at USC I wish a book like this existed in my teen years. Alejandra is an amazing storyteller. I found the book to be touching but also super informative. As someone that has worked on my own healing, I came away inspired and with additional tools.

Intriguing, illuminating and moving

this autobiography is authentic and thought-provoking. As someone who comes from a very different background, I deeply appreciated Alejandra’s honesty and raw self reflection. It truly helped me see the world in a more nuanced way.