Thursday, February 22, 2018

The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez - ADVISABLE

Pérez, Celia C. The First Rule of Punk, 320 pages. Viking (Penguin), 2017. $17. Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

12-year old Maria Luisa (Malú) has recently moved to Chicago with her mother, and is starting 7th grade in a strange place with no friends. She manages to become the target of a mean girl on her very first day when she chooses to wear dark eye shadow and red lipstick to look more Punk. Malú is half-Mexican and resents her mother's constant pressure to become a senorita and learn about her culture.But when Malú forms a punk band and auditions for the talent show, the principal rejects their group because it is too loud (and not culturally reflective). So Malú and her new friends find a way to still play their music at the festival.

This was a nice read. It's fun to see a Mexican American girl as the protagonist - yea! diversity! But it's also about appreciating your heritage and culture, while staying true to yourself. Malú also creates "zines" which are very effectively placed to help describe cultural and personal things.  I love the message, and this book will appeal to all the middle school girls.

MS - ADVISABLE  Lisa Librarian

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