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I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

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I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

Written by: Erika L. Sánchez
Narrated by: Kyla Garcia
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#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? Arts & Entertainment Difficult Situations Family Family & Relationships Literature & Fiction Latin America Funny Mexico
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What the critics say

“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

“A standout.” —NPR

“A wonderfully complex and interesting character.” —Los Angeles Review of Books

“Blistering. Julia’s persona rockets off the page and into your face from the get-go.” —Christian Science Monitor

“If you ever wanted to [understand] the harsh truths of immigrant life, this is the book you need to read.” —Bustle

“As poignant as it is incisive.” —AV Club

“An earnest and heartfelt tale.” —Booklist

“A timely and must-have account of survival in a culturally contested world.” —SLJ, Starred

“Beautifully written.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review

"Ultimately, it’s Julia herself who’s the key to the novel... She’ll resonate with many readers, and they’ll be glad to see her make it through a tough time." —The Bulletin, starred review

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I really liked this one. It was really well done, expertly explained the Latina experience, and fantastic portrayal of grief. If I could change one thing, it would be the description. Connor is basically only in this book for 45 minutes. This is more of a story of grief and friendship.

A book you will relate to on multiple levels

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Amazing writer and narrator. I loved Julia’s amazing sense of humor and I loved the story with insane plot twists. 100% recommended to all Latina women and pretty much everyone that enjoys an amazingly well written story

Best book I have recently listened to

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As a Mexican female I felt identified with this motivating touching story ❤️ I strongly recommend it

Amazing story

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Kyla Garcia's performance was excellent! This beautiful story is heartfelt, tragic, haunting and awe inducing. I loved this experience.

all perfect!!! I cried more than once

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