What do you think?
Rate this book
Sofi Mendoza's Guide to Getting Lost in Mexico
Born in Mexico, but having lived in California nearly all her life, Sofi experiences the culture of Mexico while on a trip to Tijuana, but when she tries to reenter the United States and cannot because she isn't a citizen, Sofi must wait out her time at a relative's house where she learns even more about her native land and its people.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
6 people are currently reading
345 people want to read
About the author
Malin Alegria
7 books66 followersMalín Alegria was raised in San Francisco’s Mission District. She’s a graduate of UC Santa Barbara and received her MA in Education. She is a teacher, permaculture consultant, Aztec dancer, and performer. She’s preformed and wrote with Teatro Nopal & the WILL Collective. Malin’s is a member of SCBWI, TNAFA, and the ultra fabulous Nopalitas. “Estrella’s Quinceñera” was published by Simon & Schuster in 2006. Her second novel “Sofi Mendoza’s Guide to Getting Lost in Mexico” was released May 2007. Her short stories have appeared in the anthologies “Once Upon a Cuento,” and “15 Candles: 15 Tales of Taffeta, Hairspray, Drunk Uncles, and other Quinceañera Stories. Malin currently lives in California and New Mexico where she teaches,writes, and is hard at work on growing the perfect nopal.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
May 22, 2019
Today I took my last Spanish final I will ever take at my high school. I loved that class and have grown to love the culture so much. I guess it's only fitting that I finished Sofi Mendoza's Guide to Getting Lost in Mexico today after that test.
The story is about a girl who goes to Mexico for a weekend vacation, not realizing she will be denied reentry at the border because, as she later finds out, her parents and she didn't come to the United States legally. She has to stay with her Mexican family on a ranch with no modern technology or running water.
One thing that I loved was that from right away, Sofi started to adapt to her surroundings. She was constantly going through this battle of "everything sucks and I want to go home" and "I'm going to learn while I'm here and make the best of this situation." She embraced her heritage, even if it took her a long time to embrace the situation itself.
Malin Alegria also writes her character development and relationship development with all kinds of characters very well. Her family takes time to get to know, but her developing relationship with them is written very well, and leaves little to be desired. She changes a lot, and she changes the people around her. I see this especially with her cousin Yesenia, who starts off actually kind of like Sofi, or at least like the earlier depictions of her, a ditz and kind of boy crazy. They change each other as the story goes on, and I believe all of the characters become better people throughout the story because Sofi is there.
I always love reading about how people interact with their cultures, especially if they have previously lived as removed from these cultures. These are real stories that don't always get told by the right people, and all the own-voices novels out there like this book help me appreciate every walk of life that people come from. I've become really into untold stories this year, and although I imagine there are a fair amount of border stories like this, and it's not necessarily an untold story, it was very informative to me, as well as an all-around good book.
The story is about a girl who goes to Mexico for a weekend vacation, not realizing she will be denied reentry at the border because, as she later finds out, her parents and she didn't come to the United States legally. She has to stay with her Mexican family on a ranch with no modern technology or running water.
One thing that I loved was that from right away, Sofi started to adapt to her surroundings. She was constantly going through this battle of "everything sucks and I want to go home" and "I'm going to learn while I'm here and make the best of this situation." She embraced her heritage, even if it took her a long time to embrace the situation itself.
Malin Alegria also writes her character development and relationship development with all kinds of characters very well. Her family takes time to get to know, but her developing relationship with them is written very well, and leaves little to be desired. She changes a lot, and she changes the people around her. I see this especially with her cousin Yesenia, who starts off actually kind of like Sofi, or at least like the earlier depictions of her, a ditz and kind of boy crazy. They change each other as the story goes on, and I believe all of the characters become better people throughout the story because Sofi is there.
I always love reading about how people interact with their cultures, especially if they have previously lived as removed from these cultures. These are real stories that don't always get told by the right people, and all the own-voices novels out there like this book help me appreciate every walk of life that people come from. I've become really into untold stories this year, and although I imagine there are a fair amount of border stories like this, and it's not necessarily an untold story, it was very informative to me, as well as an all-around good book.
April 29, 2015
I couldn't really relate to Sofi. She reacted to getting stranded in Mexico and getting in and out of sticky situations with a kind of haughtiness and high-class self-assuredness that seemed inappropriate, given the circumstances. I can understand that she's pretty young and in a strange country - but I thought that would make her more afraid. Instead, she still breezily acts as if she's entitled to act like a princess. Also, she's astoundingly dumb in her choice in men. I liked the fact that there is a lot of Spanish in this story.
May 13, 2016
Have you ever wanted to experience what Mexico feels like? If so, then this book is for you. The genre is realistic fiction because it could happen in real life.
Sofi Mendoza want's to go to Tijuana in Mexico for a party, but her parents don't let her. Olivia and Taylor tell her to lie and go. Sofi said's that lying is not good, she does it anyway. She tells her parent's that she is going to study with a student. When she gets to the border of Mexico, Olivia, Taylor and Sofi get excited when they cross the border. She get's excited when she see's cute boys on the street. She has to focus on operation papi chulo. Operation papi chulo is to get Nick, Sofi's secret crush to date Sofi. When she finally gets Nick to kiss her, she realizes that Nick only wants to do it with her. When she want's to go home, she finds that her green card is fake and can't go back to the United States. She goes to her uncle's house in Rural Baja. She has to stay there until her parents fix her legal issues.
The title relates to the book because Sofi gets lost in Mexico and doesn't know the place. A major event that changed Sofi was when her Tia sent her to help the church. When she got there she had to give toys and clothes to poor children. She was sad and promised to be a better person and appreciate what she has. The characters motivation is her uncle's family because she then learns to cook.
My favorite part was when Sofi went home and her new boyfriend Andres was going to come to the United States to be with Sofi. I was satisfied when Sofi, told Nick to get out of her house. I was also surprised of that. An interesting thing that I learned was that when you cross the border, you get a green or red light. If you get green, you are good to go. If you get red, you have to park and be ready for inspection. Also if I was the author, I would tell more about how Andres came to the United States and if he made it safely.
I would rate the book a 5 because I like the way the author uses her words and how the story unfolds. I would recommend this book to people who like story's that had happen. So if you want to get lost in Mexico, then this book will be perfect for you.
Sofi Mendoza want's to go to Tijuana in Mexico for a party, but her parents don't let her. Olivia and Taylor tell her to lie and go. Sofi said's that lying is not good, she does it anyway. She tells her parent's that she is going to study with a student. When she gets to the border of Mexico, Olivia, Taylor and Sofi get excited when they cross the border. She get's excited when she see's cute boys on the street. She has to focus on operation papi chulo. Operation papi chulo is to get Nick, Sofi's secret crush to date Sofi. When she finally gets Nick to kiss her, she realizes that Nick only wants to do it with her. When she want's to go home, she finds that her green card is fake and can't go back to the United States. She goes to her uncle's house in Rural Baja. She has to stay there until her parents fix her legal issues.
The title relates to the book because Sofi gets lost in Mexico and doesn't know the place. A major event that changed Sofi was when her Tia sent her to help the church. When she got there she had to give toys and clothes to poor children. She was sad and promised to be a better person and appreciate what she has. The characters motivation is her uncle's family because she then learns to cook.
My favorite part was when Sofi went home and her new boyfriend Andres was going to come to the United States to be with Sofi. I was satisfied when Sofi, told Nick to get out of her house. I was also surprised of that. An interesting thing that I learned was that when you cross the border, you get a green or red light. If you get green, you are good to go. If you get red, you have to park and be ready for inspection. Also if I was the author, I would tell more about how Andres came to the United States and if he made it safely.
I would rate the book a 5 because I like the way the author uses her words and how the story unfolds. I would recommend this book to people who like story's that had happen. So if you want to get lost in Mexico, then this book will be perfect for you.
January 25, 2008
This young adult novel has a great set-up and wonderful characters but is marred by some seriously clunky writing. Sofi Mendoza sneaks down to Tijuana with some friends to attend a Senior Class bash given by one of her classmates. Though Sofi was born in Mexico, she has lived in San Inocente (really?), California since she was three and is barely in touch with her Mexican heritage--she speaks Spanish badly, her idea of Mexican food is Taco Bell, you get the picture. Sofi's plans for the last month of her senior year come to a screeching halt when she is stopped at the border on her way back home. The border guard tells her that her green card is a fake and that she cannot come back into the United States. Sofi is forced to find her father's aunt who lives outside Tijuana in a small town called Rosarito and stay there until her parents straighten out her immigration problems. Of course, in Rosarito she discovers the realities of Mexico and comes to appreciate all she has back home in the United States.
As I said, a great set-up (nspired by a true story of two Cal State students) but Malin Alegria needs to "tell" less and show more. Also, the third person point of view feels awkward and distancing here. I could handle a teen's oblviousness (asking her cousins if they have Tivo for example) and self-centeredness better if I was in that teen's head. Hearing these things described by an objective narrator and being told again and again about "the emotional roller coaster" Sofi was going through made me crazy. By the end of the novel, when the author felt compelled to tell me that Sofi was "a border girl. Not fully American or Mexican. She was both, a bridge between cultures, the best of both worlds," I was torn between saying, "No, duh," and throwing the book against the wall.
As I said, a great set-up (nspired by a true story of two Cal State students) but Malin Alegria needs to "tell" less and show more. Also, the third person point of view feels awkward and distancing here. I could handle a teen's oblviousness (asking her cousins if they have Tivo for example) and self-centeredness better if I was in that teen's head. Hearing these things described by an objective narrator and being told again and again about "the emotional roller coaster" Sofi was going through made me crazy. By the end of the novel, when the author felt compelled to tell me that Sofi was "a border girl. Not fully American or Mexican. She was both, a bridge between cultures, the best of both worlds," I was torn between saying, "No, duh," and throwing the book against the wall.
May 31, 2009
The beginning of this novel was almost repulsive. The voice of Sofi and the other characters were so disingenuous and lame. As I plowed through, it got better, kind of... I never bought Sofi's attachment to America and American things, but there were some nice descriptive passages of life in Mexico. I felt compelled to continue reading, so I did. I liked it in the way that I like reality t.v. It's completely predictable and offers distraction.
June 18, 2014
Wonderful telenovela-like book for young adults curious of Mexico and much more. Enjoyed it a lot, and loved the sappy romantic young love part of it. Esp. The storyline. Beautiful Mexico, culture, and language-
Currently reading
March 26, 2012Sofi Mendoza thought her life was horrible here in the United States, but she doesn’t know what’s yet to come. Sofi was born in Mexico and her parents were too. Sofi’s parents were strict and didn’t let her do much; she had a curfew she had to study every day, and she didn’t get to do what other teens did. She had a huge crush on a boy name Nick who she thought they were going to have a happy ever after. Nicks friend Steve was having a graduation party in Tijuana Mexico. His party was supposed to be the highlight of everything no parents and freedom. At the party Sofi was going to make her move with the help of hr two best friends Taylor and Olivia. She knew her parents wouldn’t let her so she had to make up a lie about spending the weekend with Taylor and her parent’s memorial weekend. With permission the girls were headed off to Mexico. Every day they were there it was nonstop partying. The last night there Sofi had to make her move. She found out the truth about nick and hated him. The next morning when they were leaving they tried crossing the border but they got stuck with some problems. It turned out the Sofi’s green card was a fake. She was stuck there in Mexico. She knew the only thing to do was call her parents and tell them the truth. They were upset but they told her she had to stay with her aunt on a ranch. She met this boy Andres who she met on the beach one day helped her get there. When she arrived she thought it was a hellhole. Her aunt hated her treated her like nothing; she had twin cousin who lived picking on her and had to share a bed. While she was there she did everything to try to get back home, but as she was there she also learned more about her culture then she would ever. She found the real her and a place she belong. She met this guy Rico who she thought was the one and was totally her type. One day she and Andres were on the beach and they kissed for the first time and she knew she was in love. He told her that he was born in the U.S. but had to come to Mexico cause his mother got deported. That Friday Andres and she had a date but she forgot about the Linkin Park concert her and her cousin were suppose to go to that Rico was taking them to. She went with them and forgot about Andres. Rico kissed her and her saw and never wanted to speak with her again. Sofi felt bad and tried fixing things but she too saw him with another girl. Sofi went to her grandmas and tried seeing if there was any way she could help her get to family. One night Andres came and showed an old style tradition showing his love and Sofi showed hers too. The next day Sofi’s grandmother came by showering her proof of her being born in the U.S. The midwife was dead but her daughter was able to show proof that she was one. The lawyer and her father got his citizenship and came to get Sofi. She too was a citizen. She left everything behind there in Mexico and was able to go home to her parents. She and Andres would keep in touch. When she arrived home her friends from school were all there and threw her a welcome home party. As soon as she arrived she called Andres and asked him to be her boyfriend. In response he said yes and was coming to go to the same school as her. On her way back down stairs Nick showed up and Asked Sofi if they wanted to hangout she turned him down and sent him out the door. In the end Sofi had everything she wanted and was never going to take anything for granted.
Setting: In Tijuana Mexico on her aunt’s ranch
Antagonist: The troubles she faces in Mexico and trying to get back in the U.S.
Protagonist: Andres who helped her become the person she is.
Setting: In Tijuana Mexico on her aunt’s ranch
Antagonist: The troubles she faces in Mexico and trying to get back in the U.S.
Protagonist: Andres who helped her become the person she is.
Currently reading
May 24, 2012"Do you guys have Internet?"?"How about TiVo?”. “You do get American TV?" The house was dark. "Wait a minute -- do they even have electricity?"
Even though Sofi Mendoza was born in Mexico, she's spent most of her life in California -- the closest she gets to a south-of-the-border experience is eating at Taco Bell. But when Sofi and her friends sneak off for a weekend in Tijuana, she gets in real trouble. To Sofi's shock, the border patrol says that her green card is counterfeit. Until her parents can sort out the paperwork and legal issues, Sofi is stuck in Mexico.
In the meantime, Sofi's parents arrange for her to stay with long-lost relatives in rural Baja. It's bad enough that Sofi has to miss senior prom and even graduation, but her aunt, uncle, and cousins live on a ranch with no indoor plumbing As the weeks pass, though, she finds herself adapting to her surroundings. Sofi starts helping out on the ranch, getting along with her bratty cousins, and she even meets a guy with more potential than anyone from school. Through the unexpected crash course in her heritage, Sofi comes to appreciate that she has a home on both sides of the border.
this book takes place in modern times. the protagonist is Sofia Mendez a young girl who wants some freedom from her parents.
My overall grade for this book is is an A,meaning its 5 stars. This book had all my attention the whole time.
Plot spoilers and discussion follow:
The primary antagonist is her grandmother because she dislikes her family because she left her kids to give them a better future and now her kids don't want anything to do with her
conflict: Sofi goes to Mexico for a party and when she tries to come back to the U.S she is denied entry because she has a fake green card.
She met this boy Andres who she met on the beach one day helped her get there. When she arrived she thought it was a hellhole. Her aunt hated her treated her like nothing; she had twin cousin who lived picking on her and had to share a bed. While she was there she did everything to try to get back home, but as she was there she also learned more about her culture then she would ever. She found the real her and a place she belong. She met this guy Rico who she thought was the one and was totally her type. One day she and Andres were on the beach and they kissed for the first time and she knew she was in love. He told her that he was born in the U.S. but had to come to Mexico cause his mother got deported spoiled high school senior sneaks into Mexico with her friends for a wild party weekend. Trouble is, Sofi, who came to America with her parents at the age of 3, is refused entry at the border when the girls try to return home - it seems there is trouble with her green card. Once Sofi gets trapped in Mexico, this book gets more interesting; however, the writing style really bothered me throughout the book. I found it hard to connect with Sofi and the whole story seemed predictable and lacking depth.
Other characters:
Andres: a guy sofi falls in love with.
Her Uncle: a nice guy who loves Sofi, he is very welcoming
Rico: very handsome, but evil
her cousin: a very sweet girl, who shows Sofi around Mexico
Taylor and oliva : best friends who convince her to go to Mexico.
Even though Sofi Mendoza was born in Mexico, she's spent most of her life in California -- the closest she gets to a south-of-the-border experience is eating at Taco Bell. But when Sofi and her friends sneak off for a weekend in Tijuana, she gets in real trouble. To Sofi's shock, the border patrol says that her green card is counterfeit. Until her parents can sort out the paperwork and legal issues, Sofi is stuck in Mexico.
In the meantime, Sofi's parents arrange for her to stay with long-lost relatives in rural Baja. It's bad enough that Sofi has to miss senior prom and even graduation, but her aunt, uncle, and cousins live on a ranch with no indoor plumbing As the weeks pass, though, she finds herself adapting to her surroundings. Sofi starts helping out on the ranch, getting along with her bratty cousins, and she even meets a guy with more potential than anyone from school. Through the unexpected crash course in her heritage, Sofi comes to appreciate that she has a home on both sides of the border.
this book takes place in modern times. the protagonist is Sofia Mendez a young girl who wants some freedom from her parents.
My overall grade for this book is is an A,meaning its 5 stars. This book had all my attention the whole time.
Plot spoilers and discussion follow:
The primary antagonist is her grandmother because she dislikes her family because she left her kids to give them a better future and now her kids don't want anything to do with her
conflict: Sofi goes to Mexico for a party and when she tries to come back to the U.S she is denied entry because she has a fake green card.
She met this boy Andres who she met on the beach one day helped her get there. When she arrived she thought it was a hellhole. Her aunt hated her treated her like nothing; she had twin cousin who lived picking on her and had to share a bed. While she was there she did everything to try to get back home, but as she was there she also learned more about her culture then she would ever. She found the real her and a place she belong. She met this guy Rico who she thought was the one and was totally her type. One day she and Andres were on the beach and they kissed for the first time and she knew she was in love. He told her that he was born in the U.S. but had to come to Mexico cause his mother got deported spoiled high school senior sneaks into Mexico with her friends for a wild party weekend. Trouble is, Sofi, who came to America with her parents at the age of 3, is refused entry at the border when the girls try to return home - it seems there is trouble with her green card. Once Sofi gets trapped in Mexico, this book gets more interesting; however, the writing style really bothered me throughout the book. I found it hard to connect with Sofi and the whole story seemed predictable and lacking depth.
Other characters:
Andres: a guy sofi falls in love with.
Her Uncle: a nice guy who loves Sofi, he is very welcoming
Rico: very handsome, but evil
her cousin: a very sweet girl, who shows Sofi around Mexico
Taylor and oliva : best friends who convince her to go to Mexico.
September 25, 2014
This felt a whole lot like a telenovela, so it's pretty obvious why I enjoyed it so much.
Sofi Mendoza is an idiotic, bratty, unbearable character 85% of the book, and that's the reason I ducked one star. Fortunately, there was a lot of character development, which wasn't unexpected or surprising at all, but it was there. The story follows Sofi on her wild weekend escapade to Mexico with her two best friends. This girl has this entire plan set up to woo the cute guy she's been crushing on for years. Honestly, I would have hated her if she hadn't been so relatable in the worst possible way. That's all I'm going to say about that.
The story really digs into border/immigration issues, Mexican culture, and the importance of (having a boyfriend) falling in love? I don't really know, but I really appreciated reading about the first two. Sofi isn't allowed back in the States, so she's stuck with her family whom she doesn't know at all, and she has to learn the ways of living in a poor Mexican town.
Now, I'm from Mexico, but I've lived in this country most of my life. Of course I related to the MC. Aside from that, her experiences in that part of the country were completely foreign to me, and it gave me a new perspective. Although the author tried a lot to tell the reader how to feel, I still thought she captured the right message. Sofi learns how privileged she'd been, and how badly things are across the border. I think that's what truly made me like this book.
I think books like this one are important to read. It was quick and easy and overall enjoyable. I recommend it to anyone into adventures, romance, or political issues? Just read the damned book.
Sofi Mendoza is an idiotic, bratty, unbearable character 85% of the book, and that's the reason I ducked one star. Fortunately, there was a lot of character development, which wasn't unexpected or surprising at all, but it was there. The story follows Sofi on her wild weekend escapade to Mexico with her two best friends. This girl has this entire plan set up to woo the cute guy she's been crushing on for years. Honestly, I would have hated her if she hadn't been so relatable in the worst possible way. That's all I'm going to say about that.
The story really digs into border/immigration issues, Mexican culture, and the importance of (having a boyfriend) falling in love? I don't really know, but I really appreciated reading about the first two. Sofi isn't allowed back in the States, so she's stuck with her family whom she doesn't know at all, and she has to learn the ways of living in a poor Mexican town.
Now, I'm from Mexico, but I've lived in this country most of my life. Of course I related to the MC. Aside from that, her experiences in that part of the country were completely foreign to me, and it gave me a new perspective. Although the author tried a lot to tell the reader how to feel, I still thought she captured the right message. Sofi learns how privileged she'd been, and how badly things are across the border. I think that's what truly made me like this book.
I think books like this one are important to read. It was quick and easy and overall enjoyable. I recommend it to anyone into adventures, romance, or political issues? Just read the damned book.
April 3, 2015
Sofi Mendoza’s Guide to Getting Lost in Mexico Critique
Sofi Mendoza’s Guide to Getting Lost in Mexico, by Malin Alegria is a book about a Mexican-American teenager by the name of Sofi Mendoza who plans a weekend trip to Tijuana with her friends. While on their way back, Sofi is detained, because it turns out that her green card is counterfeit and she is forced to live with family in Baja until her parents prove her American citizenship. After adapting to her life in Mexico, she starts to think that her home is both in America and Mexico.
The theme of Sofi Mendoza’s Guide to Getting Lost in Mexico is a journey to finding where home truly is. While in Mexico, Sofi has to adapt to the new language and new way of living. The part of Mexico where Sofi’s staying isn’t exactly luxurious, like she’s used to back in America. As soon as Sofi accepts the fact that almost nothing’s the same in Mexico, she starts to have some fun and realizes that Mexico’s not as bad as she thought it was. She even starts to feel like she’s home in Mexico. During the book, I noticed that whenever a word was italicized it meant that the word was in spanish. An example of this is when Mando, her cousin says, “¿Estás bien?” This helped so that I could easily identify when there are some new spanish words I could learn. In my opinion, I didn’t like how it took so long for Sofi to adjust to Mexico, because then you’re stuck reading more of Sofi’s complaints about Mexico, versus what she loved about it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn some more Spanish or more about the Mexican culture.
Sofi Mendoza’s Guide to Getting Lost in Mexico, by Malin Alegria is a book about a Mexican-American teenager by the name of Sofi Mendoza who plans a weekend trip to Tijuana with her friends. While on their way back, Sofi is detained, because it turns out that her green card is counterfeit and she is forced to live with family in Baja until her parents prove her American citizenship. After adapting to her life in Mexico, she starts to think that her home is both in America and Mexico.
The theme of Sofi Mendoza’s Guide to Getting Lost in Mexico is a journey to finding where home truly is. While in Mexico, Sofi has to adapt to the new language and new way of living. The part of Mexico where Sofi’s staying isn’t exactly luxurious, like she’s used to back in America. As soon as Sofi accepts the fact that almost nothing’s the same in Mexico, she starts to have some fun and realizes that Mexico’s not as bad as she thought it was. She even starts to feel like she’s home in Mexico. During the book, I noticed that whenever a word was italicized it meant that the word was in spanish. An example of this is when Mando, her cousin says, “¿Estás bien?” This helped so that I could easily identify when there are some new spanish words I could learn. In my opinion, I didn’t like how it took so long for Sofi to adjust to Mexico, because then you’re stuck reading more of Sofi’s complaints about Mexico, versus what she loved about it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn some more Spanish or more about the Mexican culture.
December 3, 2008
This was a great book and one that I would highly recommend to young adult girl readers, especially those who are from Mexico or whose family is from Mexico. The story is believable! Sofi sneaks away during a weekend to go to Tijuana, Mexico with her friends and party with a boy she has a crush on. As her and her friends approach the border, they get the green light to drive through without their papers being checked. The trip is a disaster (the boy is not as cool as she thought) and when Sofi crosses back into the United States, their car is stopped because her girlfriend had a dog in the backseat! Sofi’s papers are ran and it turns out they are fake. She has to stay behind in Mexico while her friends drive back to California. After Sofi breaks the news to her parents, her dad tells her to find her aunt and uncle’s house and stay there until they can figure out what to do. When Sofi pulls up to her Tia and Tio’s house, it is a run-down farm house with animals and an outhouse, not what she was expecting at all.
The story continues and Sofi becomes connected with her Mexican family. While waiting for news from her parents and a solution to her immigration problem, she meets two boys who fall for her, becomes friends with her cousins and connects with her estranged grandmother. In the end Sofi makes it back to the USA, but not without some major twists in the story that include a midwife, a statue and a tape recording of a rooster!
The story continues and Sofi becomes connected with her Mexican family. While waiting for news from her parents and a solution to her immigration problem, she meets two boys who fall for her, becomes friends with her cousins and connects with her estranged grandmother. In the end Sofi makes it back to the USA, but not without some major twists in the story that include a midwife, a statue and a tape recording of a rooster!
July 3, 2010
"I really enjoyed this book. Based loosely upon a true story, this fictional account starts out with Sofi, a protagonist who is a young first generation Mexican-American girl. Sofi decides to disobey her parents and sneak to Tijuana, Mexico for a Senior Class party. Little does she know that her green card is fake and when she and her friends try to re-enter America, she is detained by the INS at the border. Luckily for Sofi, she has relatives in the area and can stay with them until her immigration problems are straightened out. Her stay with her new found Aunt, Uncle and Cousins is hardly the luxury partying vacation that she had expereinced at the Senior party!!! The book explores how Sofi changes as she learns more about her family, culture and what it means to be a Mexican and also an American. Add in a dash of romance, family drama and not knowing if Sofi will ever return home and Malin Alegria writes a fast paced read that should satisfy most high school girls. The book not only features a character they can identify with (boy crush, partying, disobeying parents), but may also leave them thinking differently about identity. For me, the book gave a different view into the immigration debate that is so much a part of California life and our country's current political dialogue. It got me thinking and would also spark readers to explore and maybe even re-consider their own views on the heated subject."
September 12, 2012
High School senior Sofi Mendoza has it all; cute clothes, good grades, and the best friends a girl could ask for. The one thing lacking is her love life, and when her long-time crush finally becomes single, she decides to lie to her overbearing, strict parents and head to Tijuana for a weekend of fun in the hopes of catching his attention. The weekend doesn’t go as planned, and Sofi is all too ready to go home, except for one problem – her green card is fake. The daughter of Mexican immigrants, Sofi quickly realizes that her status is not legal, and she is denied entry back into United States. Forced to wait out the ensuing legal battle from her aunt’s remote ranch outside of Tijuana, she explores the Mexico unknown to tourists, and discovers a lot about the country, and herself, along the way.
Overall Sofi Mendoza’s Guide to Getting Lost in Mexico is a fun, easy novel. The concept is interesting, dealing with issues of illegal immigration and exploring a Mexico not often seen by the American tourist. Although Sofi seems incredibly spoiled at times, and author Malin Alegria’s writing style remains simple throughout, Sofi’s character development really makes the story shine as she grows from a timid, if feisty, teenager, into a strong, independent young woman. This is a novel that many teens can relate to, especially those caught between two cultures.
Overall Sofi Mendoza’s Guide to Getting Lost in Mexico is a fun, easy novel. The concept is interesting, dealing with issues of illegal immigration and exploring a Mexico not often seen by the American tourist. Although Sofi seems incredibly spoiled at times, and author Malin Alegria’s writing style remains simple throughout, Sofi’s character development really makes the story shine as she grows from a timid, if feisty, teenager, into a strong, independent young woman. This is a novel that many teens can relate to, especially those caught between two cultures.
September 12, 2007
Sofi Mendoza is a Mexican-American girl who can barely speak Spanish and favorite Mexican meal is from Taco Bell. When her fun and posh friends invite her to a secret party in Tijuana, she thinks of nothing except of Nick, the cute senior she will seduce into becoming her boyfriend.
Crossing the border into Mexico is a breeze and the weekend turns sour when Sofi discovers that Nick is a jerk. And then, she's stopped at the border when trying to return to California. She watches her friends drive away as she is stuck in Mexico with false identification papers (which she is totally unaware of!).
Sofi must stay in Mexico until her parents can sort out all the problems. Luckily for her, she has relatives who live in Rosarito, on a ranch. But the pigs, goats, younger cousins, and a mean aunt is driving her crazy.
She misses prom, finals and graduation. Now it looks like she may miss college as well...or maybe she'll never be able to return home.
The only solace she has is Andres, a local teen she connects with and shows her the beauty of Mexico. But even so, she's desperate to return to her parents, her friends, the start at UCLA and her old life (well, maybe she's changed a little).
Crossing the border into Mexico is a breeze and the weekend turns sour when Sofi discovers that Nick is a jerk. And then, she's stopped at the border when trying to return to California. She watches her friends drive away as she is stuck in Mexico with false identification papers (which she is totally unaware of!).
Sofi must stay in Mexico until her parents can sort out all the problems. Luckily for her, she has relatives who live in Rosarito, on a ranch. But the pigs, goats, younger cousins, and a mean aunt is driving her crazy.
She misses prom, finals and graduation. Now it looks like she may miss college as well...or maybe she'll never be able to return home.
The only solace she has is Andres, a local teen she connects with and shows her the beauty of Mexico. But even so, she's desperate to return to her parents, her friends, the start at UCLA and her old life (well, maybe she's changed a little).
September 3, 2007
Sofi Mendoza is a Mexican-American girl who can barely speak Spanish and favorite Mexican meal is from Taco Bell. When her fun and posh friends invite her to a secret party in Tijuana, she thinks of nothing except of Nick, the cute senior she will seduce into becoming her boyfriend.
Crossing the border into Mexico is a breeze and the weekend turns sour when Sofi discovers that Nick is a jerk. And then, she's stopped at the border when trying to return to California. She watches her friends drive away as she is stuck in Mexico with false identification papers (which she is totally unaware of!).
Sofi must stay in Mexico until her parents can sort out all the problems. Luckily for her, she has relatives who live in Rosarito, on a ranch. But the pigs, goats, younger cousins, and a mean aunt is driving her crazy.
She misses prom, finals and graduation. Now it looks like she may miss college as well...or maybe she'll never be able to return home.
The only solace she has is Andres, a local teen she connects with and shows her the beauty of Mexico. But even so, she's desperate to return to her parents, her friends, the start at UCLA and her old life (well, maybe she's changed a little).
~Lisa S
Crossing the border into Mexico is a breeze and the weekend turns sour when Sofi discovers that Nick is a jerk. And then, she's stopped at the border when trying to return to California. She watches her friends drive away as she is stuck in Mexico with false identification papers (which she is totally unaware of!).
Sofi must stay in Mexico until her parents can sort out all the problems. Luckily for her, she has relatives who live in Rosarito, on a ranch. But the pigs, goats, younger cousins, and a mean aunt is driving her crazy.
She misses prom, finals and graduation. Now it looks like she may miss college as well...or maybe she'll never be able to return home.
The only solace she has is Andres, a local teen she connects with and shows her the beauty of Mexico. But even so, she's desperate to return to her parents, her friends, the start at UCLA and her old life (well, maybe she's changed a little).
~Lisa S
August 7, 2010
High school senior Sofi and her two best friends go to Tijuana, Mexico for a Memorial Day weekend party at a classmate's vacation house. They have a good time and act like typical American girls on vacation without a care. Unfortunately, when they try to cross the border back into the U.S. the border guard tells Sofi that her green card is a fake and that she'll have to stay. Her parents set her up to stay with her father's sister and her family--people that she has never met. They live in a run down house that has no telephone and intermittant electricity. In Sofi's very first hours there a pig is killed before her to feed the crowd that is coming to celebrate her stay. Sofi was raised in America and her parents wanted her to embrace the American culture so she knows little Spanish and almost nothing of the Mexican culture. This is a story of her growth as an independent person and how she comes to understand her background and the rest of her extended family. At times Sofi shows conflicting sides of her personality--she says she's shy and not very outgoing but the next moment she's being rude and ordering a cabana boy around. Besides that small juxtaposition it was a good story and I enjoyed reading about Sofi experiencing another side of her background.
May 24, 2012
Sofi Mendoza a Mexican-American girl who's parents encourage her to be more "American" wants to go to a party in Tijuana Mexico, but her parents don't want her going there. All of Sofi's friends are going, so she has to go. Especially because Sofi's crush Nick is going. Sofi leaves to Mexico without her parents approval with her two bestfriends Olivia and Shelia. Sofi gets drunk one night and makes a fool out of herself infront of Nick. When it's time to leave , Sofi is stopped at the border and is told that her green card is fake and that she has to go back to Mexico. Sofi doesn't know what to do so she calls her dad. Her dad tells her to look for some relatives and gives her the adress to their house. When Sofi gets there her Uncle is basically the only one that is happy she's there. When her aunt Luisa finds out, she's not to happy about it. Her two little cousins are annoying and she dosen't really get along with her cousin Yesenia till almost the end. Sofi finds out that her grandma is an American citizen and tries to find her grandma so she can help her get back into the U.S. In her Mexican journey Sofi meets a guy named Andres. Andres helps Sofi a lot while she is in Mexico. In the end Sofi gets back home and someone special goes to visit her. Andres :)
October 5, 2014
I give this book 3 stars mainly because I think Alegría provides a much needed voice in YA lit, that of a Latina youth. Sofi's voice feels a bit inauthentic and initially she seems so shallow. Her depth grows when she is stuck in Mexico. This is a somewhat clichéd experience (one that I've experienced)--culture shock/discomfort and then a deep appreciation for culture, heritage and a realization of how much you take for granted. It's what happens to anyone who lives abroad for a time. I like that about this book. What is hard to digest is the ending--what happens to Sofi is so rare. The ending ties the pretty bow to this YA romance, but what is more of a reality is that Sofi would be stuck in Mexico with at least 10 years before possible consideration of re-entry. Alegría acknowledges this situation in her author's note. If taught or used in the classroom, this book offers real opportunity to teach border issues and immigration. Due to the drinking references, I would recommend this book for high school--although 8th graders could read and appreciate. Would be good as one book of many in lit circles and then tied to non-fiction articles about immigration, deportation, ICE.
November 4, 2012
Reviewed by Cho for TeensReadToo.com
Sofi Mendoza's life was made when she and her best friends were invited to the hottest party of the year.
Just when Sofi thought everything was perfect, her overprotective parents say she can't go. But that doesn't stop her -- after she tells her parents a lie, she heads straight to the party.
After the party, Sofi and a group of her friends decide to make a quick trip to Tijuana and make it back before morning, but little do they know that everyone will return, except for Sofi!
The only thing stopping her is the green card she has. Well, the counterfeit one. While her parents do the necessary paperwork, Sofi ends up staying with her aunt and cousins. Spending her time working on their ranch, living in their house with no electricity, Sofi finds a new love. By the time she falls head over heels, her paperwork gets completed and Sofi is on her way home.
But will the romance continue? Will she learn what life is really all about, and will she finally understand why her parents care so much?
You'll have to find out the answers yourself when you read SOFI MENDOZA'S GUIDE TO GETTING LOST IN MEXICO!
Sofi Mendoza's life was made when she and her best friends were invited to the hottest party of the year.
Just when Sofi thought everything was perfect, her overprotective parents say she can't go. But that doesn't stop her -- after she tells her parents a lie, she heads straight to the party.
After the party, Sofi and a group of her friends decide to make a quick trip to Tijuana and make it back before morning, but little do they know that everyone will return, except for Sofi!
The only thing stopping her is the green card she has. Well, the counterfeit one. While her parents do the necessary paperwork, Sofi ends up staying with her aunt and cousins. Spending her time working on their ranch, living in their house with no electricity, Sofi finds a new love. By the time she falls head over heels, her paperwork gets completed and Sofi is on her way home.
But will the romance continue? Will she learn what life is really all about, and will she finally understand why her parents care so much?
You'll have to find out the answers yourself when you read SOFI MENDOZA'S GUIDE TO GETTING LOST IN MEXICO!
November 16, 2007
This starts out as a typical teen "I love him, but he never notices me and my parents are too strict" novel. But it takes a left turn in Mexico when Sofi finds out her ID is forged and that she and her parents are "illegal." She is forced to stay in Mexico, but conveniently, an aunt she's never met lives in the town she was partying in, near the border. Sofi has to live with her aunt's family, learning to get along in a too small house with no phone, no money, no hope. But of course she falls in love, learns to love her extended family, learns enough Spanish to be practically fluent and learns that there are some things money can't buy. But I'm not sure she learned that last lesson all that well. And all of this takes place in about 3 or 4 weeks. Which sounds like a lifetime to a teen, I know. Too many coincidences, too much self-absorption.
Read
July 2, 2010Sofi was three years old when she moved from Mexico to the U.S. with her parents. She can’t speak Spanish and the most she knows about the Mexican culture is eating at Taco Bell. Sofi sneaks out to go to a party in Tijuana. When Sofi is on the way back into California she is told by border control that her green card is counterfeit and can’t return to the U.S. she must stay in Mexico with an Aunt that lived there. Sofi soon realizes that living in Mexico is much different than her life in Cali. Sofi was just a typical American teenager that is going to experience life in a place she wasn’t used to.
This book will make you realize the things you take for granted as you read about the poverty in Mexico. It also touches on things such as citizenship and illegal immigrants. A great read for anyone. I suggest it for ages 14 and up.
This book will make you realize the things you take for granted as you read about the poverty in Mexico. It also touches on things such as citizenship and illegal immigrants. A great read for anyone. I suggest it for ages 14 and up.
November 14, 2011
By the same author as ESTRELLA'S QUINCEANERA. Sofi Mendoza lies to her parents and travels to Tiajuana for a rockin’ beach party during her senior year in high school. Lo and behold, she finds out that when she tries to come back, she is stopped at the border b/c her green card was a fake. . . her parents had never told her! She must go live with her aunt’s family in Rosasito if and until things can be worked out. Will she have to live in Mexico forever? Why didn’t she just appreciate what she had before she lied to her parents? Can she adjust to the land of her parents’ youth? Etc.
NB This book is categorized as “young adult fiction” but I personally would not recommend it for younger readers b/c of detailed scenes of Spring Beach-like “misbehavior”. . .or, at very least, read this part and decide for yourself before permitting your young adults to read.
NB This book is categorized as “young adult fiction” but I personally would not recommend it for younger readers b/c of detailed scenes of Spring Beach-like “misbehavior”. . .or, at very least, read this part and decide for yourself before permitting your young adults to read.
May 9, 2012
When I rated this book I excepted to see a lot of 5 star reviews...
I hope I'm not the only one who really loved the story! :)
If you're interested in this book, I would strongly recommend to read the first "preview" chapters. I ordered my copy of the book based on that.
When I got it, the plot/summary on the back, somewhat ruined my reading experience for this book, because otherwise I would have been more surprised at some parts of the story.
The reason I like the book so much is because it is about so many different things: family, love, friends, poor & rich, change, travel, culture...
I really liked how it included a few words in Spanish too (there's a glossary of spanish terms at the back) and references to Mexican American culture (which is so different to mine). I also found Sofi's character very likable from the beginning!
I hope I'm not the only one who really loved the story! :)
If you're interested in this book, I would strongly recommend to read the first "preview" chapters. I ordered my copy of the book based on that.
When I got it, the plot/summary on the back, somewhat ruined my reading experience for this book, because otherwise I would have been more surprised at some parts of the story.
The reason I like the book so much is because it is about so many different things: family, love, friends, poor & rich, change, travel, culture...
I really liked how it included a few words in Spanish too (there's a glossary of spanish terms at the back) and references to Mexican American culture (which is so different to mine). I also found Sofi's character very likable from the beginning!
July 20, 2007
Sofi Mendoza's family lived in Mexico until she was three years old, but as far as Sofi's concerned, she's American. She has no memory of her life in Mexico - she doesn't even speak Spanish!
Everything changes when she and her friends lie to their parents and sneak away to a friend's graduation party in Tijuana. On the way back to California, Sofi is stopped at the border: her green card is false. Her American citizenship is not valid.
Sofi, stuck in Mexico with her cousins while her parents try frantically to bring her home, begins to learn about her Mexican heritage and about the family and history that she never cared about.
It's not a deep read, but it is an entertaining one.
Everything changes when she and her friends lie to their parents and sneak away to a friend's graduation party in Tijuana. On the way back to California, Sofi is stopped at the border: her green card is false. Her American citizenship is not valid.
Sofi, stuck in Mexico with her cousins while her parents try frantically to bring her home, begins to learn about her Mexican heritage and about the family and history that she never cared about.
It's not a deep read, but it is an entertaining one.
May 15, 2008
Sofi Mendoza's Guide to Getting Lost in Mexico was good and exciting for the most part, but at the beginning of the book Sofi really annoyed me. I also think it should have been written from the first-person point of view; it seemed disconnected and awkward. It has a really good storyline and had a lot of potential, but I feel like some parts of the book were badly written. I understood most of the Spanish words but there were a few that I was unsure of, and it was annoying to have to look in the glossary for a definition. It was interesting to see how Sofi adapted to life in Mexico. When I was reading this book I wasn't sure if I liked it or not - when I finished, I thought it was just ok. It was kind of disappointing because the book sounded so good.
Read
May 5, 2009Mexican-born Sofi gets a rude awakening when she sneaks off for a weekend in Tijuana and gets detained at the border--unbeknownst to her, her green card is a fake, and her parents illegal immigrants. Fortunately she has relatives in Mexico and what starts out as nightmarish turns into a life-changing experience for a high school senior who didn't even speak Spanish before she was trapped in Mexico.
The Girls Gone Wild weekend that starts the book led me to wonder whether this was a middle-school title, but it turns out to be a great setup for a cultural-awareness experience that I highly recommend for the 12 and up crowd.
The Girls Gone Wild weekend that starts the book led me to wonder whether this was a middle-school title, but it turns out to be a great setup for a cultural-awareness experience that I highly recommend for the 12 and up crowd.
January 12, 2009
A spoiled high school senior sneaks into Mexico with her friends for a wild party weekend. Trouble is, Sofi, who came to America with her parents at the age of 3, is refused entry at the border when the girls try to return home - it seems there is trouble with her green card. Once Sofi gets trapped in Mexico, this book gets more interesting; however, the writing style really bothered me throughout the book. I found it hard to connect with Sofi and the whole story seemed predictable and lacking depth.
March 25, 2008
Overall I like this book. At first I don't really like Sofi as she is kind of self absorbed. The fact that she was stranded in Mexico is afterall her own fault not her parents. But I love the honest potrayal of Mexico from its poverty to its cultural richness. I guess I am more Mexican than American ( not literally, I am Asian) in point of view and way of life so I can relate. It's not as easy to live in third world country. America seems like a dream country. Thankfully Sofi matured, it has agood ending, and I love Andres most.
August 5, 2008
I really enjoyed this book! I was thinking of my students as I read it and wondered how they would react if put in the same position as Sofi. I believe this will be my next book for students to read!! Auntie Ann read it, too and wanted to strangle Sofi as she was whining about her bad luck and it not being fair (as did I, but with some curiosity to what would make her turn around)...but Sofi does indeed come around, which is predictable, otherwise why write the book, but what is interesting is how and why.
August 14, 2013
Really nice book. Better than I thought it would be. 3 things I have a comment about in this book: 1) I LOVE the triangle with Rico-Sofi-Andres. 2) I spotted this line in the book that struck me kinda weird: ""I'm such a fool," Andres said before turning his back toward her. And suddenly, she knew that she loved him." From page 214. It is a big thing to know that you love somebody, and she says it like it's the most normal thing in the world. And 3) After reading this book, I looked back at the title and was like, "What kind of title is that?"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews