Young Adult Book Fun

Title: Mexican Whiteboy

Author: Matt de la Pena

Publication: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (2008), Hardcover, 256 pages

ISBN: 0385733100 / 9780385733106

Grade Level: 7-9

Awards: ALA Best Book for Young Adults, 2008 Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon List, 2009 Notable Books for a Global Society, 2009-2010 Texas TAYSHAS Reading list

Summary: Danny’s got a problem. He’s too Mexican to be White and doesn’t really fit in at his fancy prep school. He’s also too White to be Mexican and sticks out like a sore thumb when he visits his Dad’s side of the family for the summer. If only his Dad were there he’d be able to speak up, fit in. In this coming of age story Danny deals with his biracial identity and finds new friends as he finds himself with a little help from his sassy cousin and a serious fastball.

Comments: Danny’s tale of social akwardness will be easy for any teen to relate to, but should be especially so for those students who may be just learning the art of “code switching” or living with dual identities, one for the majority culture and one at home within the minority culture.

While baseball is central theme, it really is a bit character within the tale and this book may not appeal to hardcore baseball fanatics. Danny’s obsession is more a quirk and is used to flesh out his character without really being a large player within the plot.

Danny idealizes his Dad’s home  and family because he is so removed from it and must learn what it really means to be “one of the family”. What it means to be Mexican has been lost on him, as is his father who has disappeared from his life leaving a gaping hole behind. Who he believes he should be is a reflection of eurocentric thinking that paints his cousins as uneducated toughs. He grows in his understanding as he uncovers a family secret and the book fleshes out.

The book will be a delight for boys, those who like coming of age stories and those who like colorful characters with great dialogue specific to the teen ages.

Some foul language is used throughout.

Georgia Performance Standards:

ELA6RC1, ELA7RC1 - The student reads a minimum of 25 grade-level appropriate books or book equivalents (approximately 1,000,000 words) per year from a variety of subject disciplines. The student reads both informational and fictional texts in a variety of genres and modes of discourse, including technical texts related to various subject areas.

SSSocC1: Students will explain the development and importance of culture.
a. Describe how culture is a social construction.
b. Identify the basic characteristics of culture.
c. Explain the importance of culture as an organizing tool in society.
d. Describe the components of culture to include language, symbols, norms, and values.
SSSocC2: Students will evaluate how cultures develop and evolve.
a. Explain cultural change and diversity include ethnocentrism, cultural relevance, folk culture, pop culture, counterculture, subculture, and culture shock.
b. Compare material and non-material culture.
c. Analyze the impact of globalization on US and other world cultures.

Extensions:

• Have students write a narrative about their most recent or most memorable summer away from home.
• Have students write a short story about a character similar to them who uncovers a family secret.