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Prizefighter en Mi Casa
Twelve-year-old Chula Sanchez isn’t thin, isn’t beautiful, and because she’s Mexican, isn’t popular in her south Texas town. And now that a car accident has left her father paralyzed and her plagued with seizures, she is poor. But Chula’s father is determined to pull his family out of debt. He sends for El Jefe—the most revered prizefighter in Mexico. Chula’s father hopes that with steel-pipe arms and fists like pit bulls, El Jefe will win the local illegal boxing matches and bring home much-needed money. But El Jefe—a man who many see as a monster—only brings confusion to a home that is already filled with problems. And now Chula must decide for herself whether good and bad can reside in one person and whether you can have strength in your heart when your fists have none.
From the Hardcover edition.
From the Hardcover edition.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
5 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
E.E. Charlton-Trujillo
12 books179 followersThe author/filmmaker deemed rockstar by the kids she meets won the prestigious Delacorte Dell Yearling Award, Parents' Choice Silver Honor, National Council For The Social Studies Notable Book and the NY Public Library List for Teens for PRIZEFIGHTER EN MI CASA. FEELS LIKE HOME received critical praise, but it was FAT ANGIE that generated buzz from The New York Times Bestselling Author Gregory Maguire and Ellen Hopkins. Winner of the Stonewall Award, the ALA Rainbow List, Westchester Fiction Award and a Choose To Read Ohio Book, FAT ANGIE garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal. Her trek across America to hold free writing workshops with youth on the fringe is the focus of the documentary At-Risk Summer. Her highly anticipated novel Fat Angie: Rebel Girl Revolution releases March 5, 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 12, 2008
I read this book to check it our for our media specialist in my school. I loved it. Couldn't put it down. The blend of Spanish and English felt very authentic and the struggles of the lead character are universal. An excellent book for early teens, for anyone teaching kids from different cultures, for people working on empathy issues.
June 15, 2017
I bought this book because I've met the author and I admire her passion. It helps that it's a prize winner.
This book, like the author, reminds me of home. For the mother's voice, I heard the voice of my crazy Aunt Irma's voice. (I have four Aunt Irma's; my uncles are attracted to women named Irma so I had to develop a system to tell the apart even in my mind.) I was reminded of the casual and overt racism I grew up with and that I still experience. Jo reminds me of my best friend in elementary school, Elena, who disappeared into gangs and running away before we left junior high. The father and El Jefe remind me of my uncle, George, a featherweight amateur boxer who developed his boxing skills while serving in Vietnam and has walked with canes and walkers since his 50s because of all the abuse he subjected his body to. Richie reminds me of my own brother who was first arrested when he was 12 because he was so busy proving how "Mexican" he was.
I think this book will appeal to several of my students. I'm also going to check with our librarian to make sure we have copies in the library.
This book, like the author, reminds me of home. For the mother's voice, I heard the voice of my crazy Aunt Irma's voice. (I have four Aunt Irma's; my uncles are attracted to women named Irma so I had to develop a system to tell the apart even in my mind.) I was reminded of the casual and overt racism I grew up with and that I still experience. Jo reminds me of my best friend in elementary school, Elena, who disappeared into gangs and running away before we left junior high. The father and El Jefe remind me of my uncle, George, a featherweight amateur boxer who developed his boxing skills while serving in Vietnam and has walked with canes and walkers since his 50s because of all the abuse he subjected his body to. Richie reminds me of my own brother who was first arrested when he was 12 because he was so busy proving how "Mexican" he was.
I think this book will appeal to several of my students. I'm also going to check with our librarian to make sure we have copies in the library.
November 7, 2012
Reviewed by Lynn Crow for TeensReadToo.com
PRIZEFIGHTER EN MI CASA is a heartfelt and often heart-wrenching novel about a Mexican-American girl growing up in Texas. Ever since the car accident that left her father paralyzed and unable to work, 12-year-old Chula Sanchez has suffered seizures that make her an even bigger target for teasing in her junior high school than her Mexican heritage did. She has few friends, and her relationship with her parents and older brother has suffered as well. Then her father comes up with a plan to make money for the family: bring a famous and feared prizefighter from Mexico into the town for an illegal boxing match.
The novel's main strength is its characters. Chula, who narrates the story, has a believable, distinctive voice. She doesn't hold back as she shares her sharp and sometimes bitter observations of her family and community. No super-girl, she doesn't always make the best decisions in dealing with her problems, but they are always decisions that make sense. The minor characters are also well-developed and distinctive, from the hulking shadow of "El Jefe" which conceals more humanity than Chula guesses, to her brother, Richie, who alternates between brotherly rivalry and brotherly love.
PRIZEFIGHTER EN MI CASA also stands out for its setting and tone. It authentically captures the cultural flavor of a southern town. The use of Spanish in the dialogue and narration, the slang terms and descriptions of food and religion, all serve to immerse the reader in a world that may seem foreign to many of them.
The book builds on its characters and the many conflicts between them over its two-hundred pages, but toward the end, sadly, it falters. Many of the conflicts are hastily tied up in the last few pages with little explanation; some are left completely uncertain or unresolved. Readers may find that the many loose ends make for an unsatisfying conclusion.
Despite the problems with the ending, this is still a novel well worth reading, both for the glimpse it offers of an under-represented group in teen literature and for the honesty and vividness of its storytelling. Pre-teen and younger teen readers will find much to enjoy and think about.
PRIZEFIGHTER EN MI CASA is a heartfelt and often heart-wrenching novel about a Mexican-American girl growing up in Texas. Ever since the car accident that left her father paralyzed and unable to work, 12-year-old Chula Sanchez has suffered seizures that make her an even bigger target for teasing in her junior high school than her Mexican heritage did. She has few friends, and her relationship with her parents and older brother has suffered as well. Then her father comes up with a plan to make money for the family: bring a famous and feared prizefighter from Mexico into the town for an illegal boxing match.
The novel's main strength is its characters. Chula, who narrates the story, has a believable, distinctive voice. She doesn't hold back as she shares her sharp and sometimes bitter observations of her family and community. No super-girl, she doesn't always make the best decisions in dealing with her problems, but they are always decisions that make sense. The minor characters are also well-developed and distinctive, from the hulking shadow of "El Jefe" which conceals more humanity than Chula guesses, to her brother, Richie, who alternates between brotherly rivalry and brotherly love.
PRIZEFIGHTER EN MI CASA also stands out for its setting and tone. It authentically captures the cultural flavor of a southern town. The use of Spanish in the dialogue and narration, the slang terms and descriptions of food and religion, all serve to immerse the reader in a world that may seem foreign to many of them.
The book builds on its characters and the many conflicts between them over its two-hundred pages, but toward the end, sadly, it falters. Many of the conflicts are hastily tied up in the last few pages with little explanation; some are left completely uncertain or unresolved. Readers may find that the many loose ends make for an unsatisfying conclusion.
Despite the problems with the ending, this is still a novel well worth reading, both for the glimpse it offers of an under-represented group in teen literature and for the honesty and vividness of its storytelling. Pre-teen and younger teen readers will find much to enjoy and think about.
March 31, 2011
Chula's family is struggling to get by, so her father has asked a famous prizefighter to come up from Mexico so they can bet on him and win. The reason they struggle is due to a car accident that left her father paralyzed and Chula with an expanded brain, so she has to be on medication to control seizures. Many people are afraid of El Jefe, but Chula manages to get over her fear and talk with the man, and manages to learn a few things about herself, her friends, her family and what it's like to be Mexican American.
This book started out slowly and was a bit confusing, but if you hold on, many things will begin to make sense, especially as Chula explores what happened in her past (particularly the car crash). Chula's voice is refreshing and I like that she's a little innocent about things in life, while still dealing with some harsh realities. Her discoveries are true to life and her growth is believable, even if some things do seem to happen pretty quickly. Some things happen before the narration and come to fruition during the story, making it feel faster than it really is. There are Spanish words sprinkled throughout without direct translations in the text, rather a glossary is at the end of the book. (I preferred it this way, but then, I know some Spanish.)
This book started out slowly and was a bit confusing, but if you hold on, many things will begin to make sense, especially as Chula explores what happened in her past (particularly the car crash). Chula's voice is refreshing and I like that she's a little innocent about things in life, while still dealing with some harsh realities. Her discoveries are true to life and her growth is believable, even if some things do seem to happen pretty quickly. Some things happen before the narration and come to fruition during the story, making it feel faster than it really is. There are Spanish words sprinkled throughout without direct translations in the text, rather a glossary is at the end of the book. (I preferred it this way, but then, I know some Spanish.)
zz-not-to-reread
November 29, 2008Prizefighter en Mi Casa is not a book about boxing, in spite of the fact that one of the principal characters is an infamous boxer from Mexico: El Jefe. He comes to stay with Chula, the main character, and her family, who hope that El Jefe can earn enough money through illegal boxing matches to sustain them while paralysis--the result of a car accident--confines Chula's father to a wheelchair.
Although Prizefighter en Mi Casa is full of colourful characters, it's El Jefe who captured my heart and attention. His bond with Chula starts to grow after he tends to her wounds from a school fight, telling her, "I've never fought anyone who had it coming. That must be very different." The wisdom he imparts throughout, such as that "[t]o be strong means to ... accept what you are and love that", is spot-on. Although his soul is tortured, it's also incredibly pure.
e. E. Charlton-Trujillo, the author, has scored a knockout with this novel. Her colourful description, varied pacing, layered plot, and brilliant characters leave me with little doubt that I will be thinking about this book, and recommending it to others, for days to come.
Although Prizefighter en Mi Casa is full of colourful characters, it's El Jefe who captured my heart and attention. His bond with Chula starts to grow after he tends to her wounds from a school fight, telling her, "I've never fought anyone who had it coming. That must be very different." The wisdom he imparts throughout, such as that "[t]o be strong means to ... accept what you are and love that", is spot-on. Although his soul is tortured, it's also incredibly pure.
e. E. Charlton-Trujillo, the author, has scored a knockout with this novel. Her colourful description, varied pacing, layered plot, and brilliant characters leave me with little doubt that I will be thinking about this book, and recommending it to others, for days to come.
August 13, 2016
This book was amazing. Well-written, exciting, scary, heart-warming, and troubling at times. I lived in Houston, TX until I was eight years old so it was interesting to read about someone growing up in Texas under completely different circumstances than mine... View the rest of this review on my blog.
January 7, 2008
A story of a Latino family hit by the tragic aftermath of a car accident; leaving a father wheelchair bound and a daughter with epileptic seizures. When the father tries to turn the family's fortunes around by organizing a prizefighting boxer from Mexico to a "sure thing" match, more trouble befalls the family and the daughter finds friendship in the most unexpected places.
April 6, 2011
I actually very much enjoyed this book. At times I was frustrated with the lack of appreciation Chula had for her brother, but then I realized their dynamic -- at school, at home, in general -- was just different than what I'm used to. The ending was, in general, happy (which I appreciate. I can't do sad endings) but with enough negatives that it was realistic.
November 2, 2007
This is an atmospheric exploration of a family that is slowly falling apart in a small Texas town with racial issues. The characters learn about strength in a variety of ways and some of the lessons may stick with the reader.
September 12, 2008
This would be better for 6th grade and up. It has a good idea, about a low socioeconomic Mexican American girl trying to overcome racism and other cultural biases, but the plot was weak. It was also fun that there were many spanish phrases in it, so bilingual children might enjoy that.
September 26, 2012
Young adult - well, middle-school age. Well done, about how being different doesn't necessarily mean you are bad or don't exist or have no value. And that how other people see you is not necessarily the truth.
December 8, 2016
I had trouble getting into this book... and then it was over. A great deal of content was introduced (substance abuse, gang activity, epilepsy, bullying, etc.), but none of it felt developed to me, and I just didn't feel anything for any of the characters.
February 9, 2008
I read this book because Micky wrote it. I was surprised to find myself so completely engaged in a book written for younf adults.
January 5, 2011
A really touching tale that rings true. I blog about some of the characters here. http://blog.liviablackburne.com/2011/...
June 9, 2010
Met the author at NCTE a few years ago and was very impressed by this first novel. Great storyline.
December 15, 2010
It was cool
October 29, 2010
i think that this book is boring from the beggining, but once you keep reading like in the middle of the book it starts getting good.
October 22, 2011
Chula, a middle schooler, is surrounded by issues, an angry mother, an alcoholic father and a brother who's becoming a gang member. Very thoughtful and well told.
March 2, 2013
I just went back and re-read this one. Loved it just as much the second time. Growing up with a brother who liked to tease, I really understood the relationship between Chula and Richie.
Read
August 11, 2011I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews