"I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez is a Young Adult (YA) novel about Julia, a little sister having to deal with her grieving family and stepping out of her dead older sister's shadow. Julia goes on a turbulent coming-of-age journey as she sleuths her way to her sister's secret life while trying to survive high school so she can leave Chicago and her family, most importantly her mother whom she can never get along with, behind to go to college in New York. Sanchez includes several important themes throughout the novel, many of which prevalent, but also taboo in the Hispanic community, such as religion, virginity, the importance of family, sacrifice, and mental health. These themes are woven into a beautiful and complex story that shows the journey many first-generation Americans go through as they balance their ancestral culture with the American culture.
From a forced quinceanera to being caught with stuff that isn't hers, Julia and her mother have an even more dysfunctional relationship. Hiding a boyfriend from her doesn't make it any easier. Managing the death of her sister and school leads her to a dangerous situation and on a one-way flight to her parent's hometown in Mexico. Julia learns more about her family's move across the border and the circumstances faced by her parents, while her mother learns her daughter's true intelligence and potential. Upon her return with a better understanding of the reasons that make her parents the way they are, Julia continues her investigation on her sister's past, while preparing her college applications. With the support of one of her teachers, her childhood best friend Lorena, and her therapist, Julia returns back to a new self learning how to manage her mental health.
Julia eventually discovers the truth about her sister and gets back with her boyfriend, even if it's only for a little while. She gets accepted into her dream school and takes the leap that so many first-generation students are often afraid to take, all while keeping the biggest secret to protect those that she loves.
"Some things should never be said out loud, Julia. Can't you see that?"
