83 pages • 2 hours read
Erika L. SanchezI Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2017A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Published in 2017, Erika L. Sánchez’s first novel I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter is a young adult coming-of-age story set in contemporary Chicago. The story is told from the perspective of 15-year-old Julia Reyes as she navigates her grief and struggles with mental health, her familial relationships, and cultural expectations when her older sister Olga unexpectedly dies. The book has won several awards, including the Thomas Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award in 2018. The novel explores immigrant cultural identity and its role in familial expectations and dynamics. Julia’s mental health issues are deeply intertwined with other serious themes like trauma, abuse, and poverty. This book includes a detailed suicide attempt, rape, and mentions of violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
<I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez is widely praised for its poignant exploration of cultural identity, mental health, and family expectations. Critics commend its authentic voice and emotional depth. However, some note a predictable plot and inconsistent pacing. Overall, it's regarded as a powerful and relatable read, especially for young adults.
Who Should Read I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter?
An ideal reader of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez is a young adult interested in exploring themes of cultural identity, family dynamics, and mental health. Comparable to readers of Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give and Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street, they seek heartfelt, diverse narratives.
RecommendedReading Age
14-18yearsLexile Level
HL730LBook Details
Realistic Fiction
Modern Classic Fiction
Relationships: Family
Mental Illness