I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

Book Synopsis

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?

Discussion Questions

1. What was your impression of Julia after reading the first chapter? Did your opinion of her change? When or why?
2. What did you think of Ama? Did learning what she's been through change your view or justify any of her actions?
3. Julia loved her sister but she also seemed angry at her for not having done more in life. What about it is so upsetting to her?
   
4. Can you think of any reasons why Olga chose to stay home with her parents instead of following any big dreams or goals?
5. Mental health is a big part of the story. How do you feel about how it was portrayed by the author?
   
6. Julia's teacher corrects her when she says that her parents are "illegal" instead of "undocumented". How does political correctness benefit or not benefit Julia's parents?
7. Why do you think Freddy and Alicia took interest in Julia's future?
   

Find your audiobook on Libro.fm:

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez Narrated by Kyla Garcia Audiobook on Libro.fm

#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...

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