Drew’s Comments (group member since Jun 26, 2019)

Drew’s comments from the Multicultural Library EDGTE 480 group.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Ari and Dante meet one summer during high school at the local pool. Ari can’t swim; Dante offers to teach him. The two Mexican-American boys who have previously been loners become fast friends. Until one day, in the aftermath of a rain storm, Ari pushes Dante out of the way of a speeding car, breaking both his legs in the process. After that the two are indelibly linked; their unbreakable bond becomes both cherished and hated. Both boys are trying to grow up and figure out who they are, even though Dante seems to be much more sure of himself in a very unique way. Ari feels alone and disconnected from his parents, especially his dad, though they outwardly display their love and support of him. Eventually the two come to realize that despite the struggles of everyday life, there is love in this world and sometimes you don’t have to go very far to find it.

This is a book that doesn’t portray recent immigrants, but uses more established Mexican-American roots as background for the characters and the world in which they live. A key question the boys pose to themselves (often in jest) is what it means to really be Mexican. Additionally, without giving too much away, it presents both a hopeful outlook and the potential dangers of living an alternative lifestyle and what that means for family acceptance. The experience of the boys has a distinctly Mexican-American feel to it, while still speaking universal truths. In that way, the book is an extremely important read for all students; especially those who feel particularly vulnerable and confused during their teenage years.

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

Chicago high school student and first generation Mexican-American, Julia Mendoza, is having a rough time since her sister died in a tragic accident. Her parents are grief-stricken: her father barely acknowledges her presence and her mother constantly reminds her how she’s the problem child, unlike her late sister Olga. But Julia discovers that her sister might not have been the model daughter her family thinks. She’s determined to find about more about her sister’s secret life while confronting her own personal demons and issues with mental health. This is a touching, funny, and suspenseful story about an immigrant girl who learns that sometimes other people need to be understood just as much as she does.

ELs will hopefully be able to sympathize with this book on several visceral levels. There’s quite a bit of tension between Julia and her parents, who often feel confused and alienated by their “Americanized” daughter. A central event in the book is Julia’s quinceañera and how important her parents think it is, despite her aggressive disinterest. The book also portrays what it’s like to be poor and Latino in the city of Chicago with a direct and matter-of-fact style that may be relatable to many: Julia’s mother works as a cleaning woman and her father works in a candy factory and they rarely have enough money to keep the fridge full. Ultimately, the novel is about bridging gaps and the secrets we sometimes have to confront in order to be better people and strengthen our familial bonds.