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Penguin Random House LLC

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

Regular price $12.99 USD
Regular price Sale price $12.99 USD
The National Book Award Finalist and instant New York Times bestseller about losing a sister and finding yourself amid the pressures, expectations, and stereotypes of growing up in a Mexican American home. 

“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
Julia is not the perfect Mexican daughter. That was her sister Olga's role. Olga didn't go away to college--she stayed home to take care of their parents, clean the house, and work a part-time job. Julia has big dreams, and she wants no part of her older sister's path. But one mistake--texting while crossing the busiest street in Chicago--leaves Olga dead and Julia left behind to cope with the aftermath.

Their parents, who came to Chicago illegally from Mexico to find a better life, are devastated. Julia's mother seems to channel her grief into pointing out every possible way that Julia fails to be the perfect Mexican daughter that Olga was. But Julia soon discovers that Olga may have had secrets, too. With the help of her best friend Lorena, 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 live up to a seemingly impossible ideal?

This poignant but often laugh-out-loud funny contemporary YA is about losing a sister and finding yourself amid the pressures, expectations, and stereotypes of growing up in a Mexican-American home.