A Standout Novel Creates Vital Classroom Discussions
The award winning novel, “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” by Erika Sanchez is introduced to Ethnic Studies.
By Sophia Aranda
The award winning novel, “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” by Erika Sanchez is introduced to Ethnic Studies.
By Sophia Aranda
As a part of the updated honors English curriculum, the Ethnic Studies Literature course has introduced a new book, called “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” by Erika Sanchez.
“I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” is a fictional story based on a young Mexican-American girl named Julia who goes to a Chicago high school. Through the course of the novel, Julia maneuvers through many trials and tribulations while growing up and working on her dream to become a writer.
Though this book has been chosen to be taught as a part of the curriculum this year, it still remains a controversial book since it discusses many difficult topics. The Independent School District in Leander, Texas has challenged the book due to a variety of topics that are deemed inappropriate for a classroom setting. Although this book has had some controversy, SJUSD and Pioneer chose it to create a space supporting conversations on issues teens currently face.
“This book deals with modern teenage issues. There are more modern examples of profanity, there are more modern discussions of sexuality and things like that can make people nervous just as the discussions of those things in “The Catcher in the Rye” made people nervous in the ‘60s,” said English teacher Jason Goldman-Hall.
Within the book, many difficult themes, including mental health, trauma and substance abuse, are discussed as the main character’s story unfolds.
“One of our themes is mental health, and how we can properly and appropriately take care of ourselves and our mental health. Other topics are common coming of age topics so our narrator has her first kiss (and) has sex for the first time,” said English teacher Ashley Pham.
Students such as Leyla Bikul, 10 feel like the book has important, recurring themes.
“I feel like the book has a repeating theme of the expectations and unreachable standards that you have to be happy and smile all the time. Even after going through a traumatic event such as losing a sister, in the main character Julia's case, we are often told to brush it off and let stuff go, but that isn't always possible or even healthy,” said Bikul.
Though this book has its fair share of heavy topics, teachers and students are prepared to read them and think it is vital for everyone to learn about these topics.
“Regardless of all topics that people find ‘controversial,’ there is a really important message about what it's like to be a young woman of color,” said English teacher Chanel Sulc. “Unfortunately we don't have enough of those books in the world so I think banning just one is a shame because there aren't enough of them to begin with, and students who share similar experiences need to see that represented in books so they don't feel alone.”
Students such as Melica Afnani, 10, have felt that the book should be taught to students more regularly as it sheds light on important topics.
“The main character expresses their feelings and it's way more realistic than any other books I've seen and I don't know why it's (challenged) in other places, but I think California wanted other heritages and cultures to get an idea of the book and be able to express themselves with it,” said Afnani.
Even through this book's hardships, students are still looking forward to reading more and are intrigued with what the next chapter brings. Students such as Erica Gunn, 10, have felt particularly drawn to the topics within the book as they can be identified in many students’ lives.
“The relatability of the book makes me actually interested. Also the book exploring the intersections between issues of class, gender and culture is an interesting topic not usually discussed in books we read at school,” said Gunn.
Along with Gunn, Ally Harrison, 10, shares a similar interest with this new book as it expresses another cultural perspective that differs from her own.
“I find this book really interesting because it shows another culture that I am not a part of,” said Harrison.
“I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” is a fictional story based on a young Mexican-American girl named Julia who goes to a Chicago high school. Through the course of the novel, Julia maneuvers through many trials and tribulations while growing up and working on her dream to become a writer.
Though this book has been chosen to be taught as a part of the curriculum this year, it still remains a controversial book since it discusses many difficult topics. The Independent School District in Leander, Texas has challenged the book due to a variety of topics that are deemed inappropriate for a classroom setting. Although this book has had some controversy, SJUSD and Pioneer chose it to create a space supporting conversations on issues teens currently face.
“This book deals with modern teenage issues. There are more modern examples of profanity, there are more modern discussions of sexuality and things like that can make people nervous just as the discussions of those things in “The Catcher in the Rye” made people nervous in the ‘60s,” said English teacher Jason Goldman-Hall.
Within the book, many difficult themes, including mental health, trauma and substance abuse, are discussed as the main character’s story unfolds.
“One of our themes is mental health, and how we can properly and appropriately take care of ourselves and our mental health. Other topics are common coming of age topics so our narrator has her first kiss (and) has sex for the first time,” said English teacher Ashley Pham.
Students such as Leyla Bikul, 10 feel like the book has important, recurring themes.
“I feel like the book has a repeating theme of the expectations and unreachable standards that you have to be happy and smile all the time. Even after going through a traumatic event such as losing a sister, in the main character Julia's case, we are often told to brush it off and let stuff go, but that isn't always possible or even healthy,” said Bikul.
Though this book has its fair share of heavy topics, teachers and students are prepared to read them and think it is vital for everyone to learn about these topics.
“Regardless of all topics that people find ‘controversial,’ there is a really important message about what it's like to be a young woman of color,” said English teacher Chanel Sulc. “Unfortunately we don't have enough of those books in the world so I think banning just one is a shame because there aren't enough of them to begin with, and students who share similar experiences need to see that represented in books so they don't feel alone.”
Students such as Melica Afnani, 10, have felt that the book should be taught to students more regularly as it sheds light on important topics.
“The main character expresses their feelings and it's way more realistic than any other books I've seen and I don't know why it's (challenged) in other places, but I think California wanted other heritages and cultures to get an idea of the book and be able to express themselves with it,” said Afnani.
Even through this book's hardships, students are still looking forward to reading more and are intrigued with what the next chapter brings. Students such as Erica Gunn, 10, have felt particularly drawn to the topics within the book as they can be identified in many students’ lives.
“The relatability of the book makes me actually interested. Also the book exploring the intersections between issues of class, gender and culture is an interesting topic not usually discussed in books we read at school,” said Gunn.
Along with Gunn, Ally Harrison, 10, shares a similar interest with this new book as it expresses another cultural perspective that differs from her own.
“I find this book really interesting because it shows another culture that I am not a part of,” said Harrison.