Mexican Whiteboy
de la Pena, M. (2008). Mexican
whiteboy. New York: Random House.
Danny moves to National City, Mexico to live with his
father’s Hispanic family for the summer, trying to find himself and his
heritage. He attends a prestigious private school in San Diego and is one of a
few Hispanic students in attendance, leaving him feeling outcast even though he
speaks no Spanish. Danny is a natural athlete and his sport is baseball. After
a rough start, he finds forms a friendship with Uno, the local tough guy, and
they start running baseball scams to earn money. Uno wants to go live with his
dad and Danny wants to visit his father. As the story progresses, Danny writes
to his dad telling him of all the wonderful things that are happening in his
life. Sadly, these things are just a dream; a way of Danny hoping his dad will
be proud of him. Danny barely speaks, spending most of his time observing the
people around him. While in the car with his uncle, Danny witnesses a brutal
murder and this triggers a series of memories about his dad and why he doesn’t
live with the family anymore.
Mexican Whiteboy is
a contemporary, realistic fiction of Danny a young teen of mixed heritage who
is coming of age in two worlds. He is convinced the reason his dad left was
because he was too white. His father’s family lives closer to poverty and he
wonders if this is the life he wants instead of his prestigious school and
mom’s rich boyfriends. Danny is very introverted and when he becomes upset, he self-harms.
He begins to socially drink this summer and he watches some recreational drug
use. As Danny slowly finds himself, he also is in better control of his
pitching. While unwilling in the car with his uncle, he witnesses unbelievable
rage and sees his uncle kill a man. All of this triggers memories of the
domestic abuse his mom faced and realization that his dad is not living in
Mexico, he is in prison.
Interesting links:
Awards:
YALSA Best Book for Young Adults (Top 10 Pick)
Notable Books for a Global Society 2009
Texas TAYSHAS Reading list
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