I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez is a young adult novel about the daughter of immigrants who has experienced trauma, feels like the lesser child in her family, and doesn't understand why her parents behave the way they do.
Olga was the good daughter but now she's dead and her sister Julia feels like her life is spinning out of control. Her mother is overprotective and won't let her have any privacy. Her father is mostly silent. Everyone has been crushed by Olga's death. When Julia finds some unexpected possessions in her sister's room, Julia is determined to uncover Olga's secrets.
Grief, controlling parents, LGBTQ, racism, sexism, depression and anxiety, xenophobia, and teenage romance — there's a lot going on in this book. I didn't care for Julia's crudeness but I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter had the ring of truth. And, even though she's a hot mess, Julia still managed to show her sense of humor.
Recommended - I've had an e-copy of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter for several years (yes — gasp! — I read an e-book!) A friend chose it as a discussion book when I was in a Facebook discussion group but I was unable to fit it in, at the time. And, I do think it would have been a terrific group read. It's an emotional story, especially if you've experienced and can relate to Julia's grief. In fact, I think it would be a perfect book for a mother-daughter discussion group because it's the kind of book that will open up opportunities with a teenager to allow her to discuss her frustrations.
I gave it ⭐⭐⭐⭐.
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