Living Beyond Borders: Growing up Mexican in America

Bibliography
Longoria, Margarita, 2021. LIVING BEYOND BORDERS: GROWING UP MEXICAN IN AMERICA. New York, NY: Penguin Books. ISBN 9780593204986.

Plot Summary
Inside this collection of short stories, essays, poetry, and short comics, a variety of authors tell their story of what it is like to navigate America as a Mexican American. Many stories are similar in the sense of the authors not feeling like they belong or can be easily sought out for being "different". An eye-opening, powerful collection for all readers to explore.

Critical Analysis
Being Mexican American is something to be proud of, no one should feel ashamed to be related to this beautiful culture. The authors inside this collection of short stories, personal essays, poetry, and short comics, are all too aware of how they are perceived in America. Questioning how people make judgements, when these strong, humble people are also human and deserve equal rights. While reflecting on their lives, they start by sharing their family history. Many parents struggled for freedom and equal rights, working harder than most to make a life for their family. Mexican Americans deserve the right to not be judged by their culture and should feel proud to be unique. Many of the stories seem to be set from South Texas, which is close to the border of Mexico. It is also noted that even though the authors are born Mexican American, they feel the harsh treatment of judgement, despite not being born in Mexico. The variety of stories are shared from multiple points of view; it can be told from a child's, teenager's, or adult's point of view. This collection will provide readers with an eye-opening experience into two different cultures, finding a way to coexist. A great addition to Mexican American literature, each powerful story sharing frustration, love, hope, tradition, and bravery.

Review Excerpt(s)
- Starred review in KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Well worth reading; a welcome addition to any bookshelf."
- Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY CONNECTION: "Not to be missed, this richly worded anthology should be celebrated for its dignitas, perspective, and deep well of cultural and social diversity."
- Starred review in PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "Longoria's careful curation imbues a fuller understanding of Mexican American experiences." 

Connections
- For those interested in learning about what it means and feels like to be a Mexican American in America.
- Mexican American readers will be able to relate to the experiences shared and may gather strength to speak up and share their journey as well. 
- Similar book recommendations: 
Mendoza, Paola & Sher, Abby. SANCTUARY. ISBN 9781984815736.
Sanchez, Jenny Torres. WE ARE NOT FROM HERE. ISBN 9781984812285.
Vecchione, Patrice & Raymond, Alyssa. INK KNOWS NO BORDERS: POEMS OF THE IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE EXPERIENCE. ISBN 9781609809072.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Koala Lou

Image
  Bibliography Fox, Mem, 1988. KOALA LOU. Ill. by Pamela Lofts. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 9780152000769. Plot Summary Young Koala Lou yearns for the days when she was an only child and her mother would tell her how she loved her the most. As the years have passed and more siblings have arrived, Koala Lou thinks about what she can do to earn her mother's attention. With the Bush Olympics right around the corner, she enters the competition (specifically, the gum tree climbing event), dreaming of her victory and her mother telling her how much she loved her. Despite not winning the event, her mother is proud of her and reminds her of how much she loves her. Koala Lou learns that a mother's love is forever and does not have to win her over. Critical Analysis  Mem Fox has captured the sweet, eternal love a mother will always have her child. The main character, Koala Lou, recalls the moments when her mother would tell her she loved her most and how it uplifted her...
Read more

Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family's Fight for Desegregation

Image
  Bibliography Tonatiuh, Duncan, 2014. SEPARATE IS NEVER EQUAL: SYLVIA MENDEZ & HER FAMILY'S FIGHT FOR DESEGREGATION. New York, NY: Abrams Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9781419710544. Plot Summary In 1947, Sylvia Mendez is excited to begin school in the new city her family moved to. When she walks through the door, she is immediately greeted with rudeness and is told to go to the Mexican school instead. Hurt and ashamed, she tells her mother she does not want to go to school anymore. Her mother listens to her sadness and reminds her to hold her head high, the Mendez family fought for the right to attend the Westminster school. She was being unfairly judged for her looks alone, despite being an American who spoke perfect English, all people saw was her dark hair and skin. Sylvia's mother reminds her of how her family fought for the same opportunity for the kids to attend a good school and have equal rights.  Critical Analysis  Duncan Tonatiuh shares the powerful, true ...
Read more

The Night Raven

Image
Bibliography Rundberg, Johan, 2020. THE NIGHT RAVEN. New York, NY: Amazon Crossing Kids. ISBN 9781662509582. Plot Summary It's a dark, cold night in Stockholm and Mika is running through her personal checklist of how to survive during the unbearable, freezing winters in the local orphanage. She suddenly hears a knock at the door and there is a boy holding a newborn child claiming the Dark Angel knows he has taken this child. Without any explanation, the boy takes off running, leaving Mika with many questions and another child to help care for. The Night Raven was a notorious serial killer in Stockholm and was supposed to be dead, now Mika is left wondering if somehow he is involved. With the help of a local detective, Mika will hunt out the truth and solve a murder. With this opportunity, Mika can become someone strong and who matters in this world, not allowing her only identity to be an orphan.  Critical Analysis Rundberg writes a suspenseful mystery, more specifically a murder i...
Read more