I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

By: Erika L. Sánchez

Narrated by: Kyla Garcia

Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

National Book Award for Young People's Literature

Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A “stunning” (America Ferrera) YA novel about a teenager coming to terms with losing her sister and finding herself amid the pressures, expectations, and stereotypes of growing up in a Mexican American home.

“Alive and crackling—a gritty tale wrapped in a page-turner.”—The New York Times

Perfect Mexican daughters do not go away to college. And they do not move out of their parents’ house after high school graduation. Perfect Mexican daughters never abandon their family.

But Julia is not your perfect Mexican daughter. That was Olga’s role.

Then a tragic accident on the busiest street in Chicago leaves Olga dead and Julia left behind to reassemble the shattered pieces of her family. And no one seems to acknowledge that Julia is broken, too. Instead, her mother seems to channel her grief into pointing out every possible way Julia has failed.

But it’s not long before Julia discovers that Olga might not have been as perfect as everyone thought. With the help of her best friend Lorena, and her first love, first everything boyfriend Connor, Julia is determined to find out. Was Olga really what she seemed? Or was there more to her sister’s story? And either way, how can Julia even attempt to live up to a seemingly impossible ideal?

©2017 Erika L. Sánchez (P)2017 Listening Library

Critic reviews

“I fell in love with Erika L. Sánchez’ stunning novel....The depth, wit and searing intelligence of her writing, and her young Latina heroine, struck me to my core and left me wanting so much more."—America Ferrera, Emmy award-winning actress in Ugly Betty

“This book will change everything. . . . A perfect book about imperfection.”—Juan Felipe Herrera, Poet Laureate of the United States

“Unique and fresh.”—Entertainment Weekly

I am not the perfect Mexican daughter I'm #3.

The book was great, it reminded me of how many very Mexican cultural traits are in me both good and bad. I think this book is significant in light of our DREAMER (DACA) situation in the US. As a first generation American from parents that immigrated I recognized the themes in my upbringing, in the difficulties my parents experienced. I was reminded of my own coming of age and the conflicts of my Mexican culture and growing into an American woman. I also have a perspective of a mental health professional and the book hit relevant mental health issues some may or may not be typical in a Mexican household. I would give more details to but I don't want to give the story away. It was a good listen and it touched my heart.

Must Read

This coming of age story based on a Latino background is definitely a Must Read!

Perfect doesn’t Exist

I loved the story over all. I had my laughs, I got angry, made me cry it was a great story. The title it’s self is what made me really want to look into the book. My first audible book and I don’t regret it. It made me realize that my life could have been worse. The narrator had a annoying voice though, took me a while to get used to. Her Spanish was bad but mine isn’t perfect either! A Mexican American born in Houston, TX with parents from Monterrey, Mx who always remind me to make something out of nothing and that’s exactly what she did even without that emotional support from the people you expect the most. This is what I would listen to on my way to work. I loved it 💙

Irreverent & funny YA experience on life & loss

A first person narrative following the experiences of a young Chicago born Mexican-American teen, Julia. Her older sister, Olga, has recently died from a freak accident which has turned her world upside down as she tries to cope with the sudden loss. In turn, her over protective mother constantly keeps an eye on her every non-scholastic activity which makes life more insufferable. On a daily basis, Julia's battles feelings of not being understood by her teachers, peers, extended family and parents. At the same time, she falls upon several of her sister's possessions which makes her suspect Olga wasn't the person she and her parents thought her to be. Her efforts to piece together clues from Olga's past prove to be difficult as she tries to connect with her sister's evasive friends and Olga's locked bedroom courtesy of her mother.

Along this backdrop of fact-finding and dealing with a tumultuous relationship with her mother, Olga continues to struggle with her feelings of frustration towards her and the outside world. Alone at night, she silently grieves the loss of a sister that she thought she knew. Julia finds solace in her writing and reading, her one true passion in life that she fiercely holds onto. Throughout the story, she interjects her favorite lines of prose and poetry from her cherished authors that she feels a kindred connection to.

I enjoyed reading this story as I felt connected to Julia's Mexican roots. I've never experienced the loss of a sibling but I was once a teen that felt suffocated by over protective parents and couldn't wait for the day that I could spread my wings and live life on my own terms. Julia's no-bullshit view of the world and Mexican-American culture was very funny at times and reminded me of a cousin that made no apologies for her outspoken views.

One of my favorite reads this year!

This imperfect Mexican daughter found herself reflected

This book felt as if it had been written about me as a teenager. I wish I had read something like this asa young person. I’m 41 years old and after years of dealing with depression and anxiety I feel as a failure. This book made me wonder what happened to my feisty self from my teen years.

Reflection

What a great book for both young and young at heart Latina daughters. I think we can all relate to so many situations in this book. A great read!!

very relatable

amazing story
I wish I had this book 20 years ago
she captures the essence of being a first generation American. the struggles of 2 different worlds merging

such a great story! Julia's journey is powerful!

Julia's story represents so many young Latinas! love the Chicago flair! I want to know what happens after NYU!

Beautiful story showcasing a Latinx American voice

I loved the topics touched upon in this story. Womanhood, immigrant perspectives, low income, first generation college student; it showcased a community that’s not often portrayed. As others mentioned, the accents and Spanish are a little funky but it’s part of the narrators appeal, and in my option, fits Julia’s characters voice and thoughts.

Good read.

the narrator was great at creating different voices for the different characters. The story line was different than I expected. cuss words not necessary to the story.