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literatehedgehog 's review for:
Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass
by Meg Medina
If A.S. King books got together with Gabi, A Girl in Pieces and Melina Marchetta books.
An enthralling, emotional read that rides the "issue book" line - carrying stereotypes about Latinas and untrustworthy Latino men, flirting with body image, and of course the big whammy, bullying. (Note, I'm using the word bullying as defined as physical or emotional aggression towards someone that happens over time. It often involves power play through social media and relationships).
As a teacher, I don't love the way some of the teachers react (or more poignantly, don't), but that's part of the point. Not all bullying is noticeable. Then even if it is noticed, not everyone will do something about it.
As I'm not Latina, I can't speak to the accuracy of Medina's family and cultural portrayals, but I do wonder how women of color might feel the limited roles of Latino men in the novel. Of the three we meet or at least hear about, one lies about a current marriage, another beats his wife, and the third is a cop dating a gorgeous woman with a reputation for not settling down. Additionally, i first felt conflicted, then I appreciated and maybe better understood, why the bully was another Latina girl. There was a passing mention of tensions between the countries they are connected to, but that (nor race, ethnicity in general) was not presumably the basis for the bullying.
There were a few other things I had questionable thoughts about - but overall a good (if not emotionally enjoyable) and necessary read.
An enthralling, emotional read that rides the "issue book" line - carrying stereotypes about Latinas and untrustworthy Latino men, flirting with body image, and of course the big whammy, bullying. (Note, I'm using the word bullying as defined as physical or emotional aggression towards someone that happens over time. It often involves power play through social media and relationships).
As a teacher, I don't love the way some of the teachers react (or more poignantly, don't), but that's part of the point. Not all bullying is noticeable. Then even if it is noticed, not everyone will do something about it.
As I'm not Latina, I can't speak to the accuracy of Medina's family and cultural portrayals, but I do wonder how women of color might feel the limited roles of Latino men in the novel. Of the three we meet or at least hear about, one lies about a current marriage, another beats his wife, and the third is a cop dating a gorgeous woman with a reputation for not settling down. Additionally, i first felt conflicted, then I appreciated and maybe better understood, why the bully was another Latina girl. There was a passing mention of tensions between the countries they are connected to, but that (nor race, ethnicity in general) was not presumably the basis for the bullying.
There were a few other things I had questionable thoughts about - but overall a good (if not emotionally enjoyable) and necessary read.