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“Too Tall. Too Short. Too Skinny. Too Fat. Too White. Too Mexican. Too Black. No matter sometimes you just don’t fit in. This is the problem that faces Danny, half white/half Mexican who can’t find a place where his mom lives with the rich white crowd at his private school because he is too brown. Then, when he lives with his dad’s side of the family (his dad left when he was a kid) he doesn’t get half of the jokes because he does not speak a word of Spanish, so he is too white. But he does fit in with baseball where he throws a 90 mph fastball dead center, except when the pressure is on. Then he completely loses control of everything and the ball goes anywhere except where he wants it to. Matt de la Pena’s new novel about Danny’s summer of trying to figure out who he is and what he wants to do with his future hits a homerun with anyone who has ever felt out of place, bullied, or lost in a crazy world where we do not have any control. Pena shows a good understanding of teenagers and slang through the dialogue and captures the feelings of his characters well, easily making them very identifiable. If you enjoy books by Matt Christopher, Rich Wallace or Gary Paulsen, check Mexican Whiteboy out.
Richard Winters wrote this review 5 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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“1/2 white, 1/2 Mexican, identity crisis, baseball, new at white school but doesn't speak Spanish, dad in prison, he engages in self-mutilation, phenomenal”
Ms. Rose wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“It was kuuhl
Omar G wrote this review Wednesday, November 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I recomended!!!!!
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“This is an excellent book. The author does a great job exploring the difficulties of living in two cultures. He also describes sports scenes really well. I'm not usually into sports books, but the way he described pitching just drew me in.
Ms. Althauser wrote this review Sunday, October 4 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Also, if you like The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian or Buried Onions, I think you'll really like this book.
”“Great book for all students. Even though the primary story is based on baseball, there are relationships between teens and adults that are discussed. All will enjoy!”
Mary Lynn G wrote this review Monday, September 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Great story about teen age boys. Would love to put it on our shelves but the language might be too much. Language was totally authentic and made the story. It's a shame b/c I did like this book.”
Sydney wrote this review Monday, August 31 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The title says it all - Danny has a Mexican father and a white mother and he feels that he belongs in neither world. He goes to an expensive prep school in San Diego on scholarship. When he tries out for the team, even though he has a fast arm, he can't control his throws. After his dad leaves them, Danny thinks it is because of him and his not being Mexican enough, and he basically stops talking. During the summer he goes to stay with his Dad's family in National City, ashamed that he can't speak Spanish. Danny learns something about himself, his friends, his family, and his life during this important summer. ”
glowil wrote this review Sunday, June 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A weak start with an incredible finish. A wonderful story of identity and and the importance of being part of something larger than yourself. The first few pages were, well, bizarre, as characters you hadn't met yet were in different places. But after about 5 pages, the story gelled and was engaging. Boys and girls would find something to enjoy here. Some harsh language and at least one reference to smoking pot would gear this to upper grades but an excellent recommendation, especially if they are looking for a book that reflects bi-racial characters. I struggled with some of the Spanish slang but this adds dimension for the reader as our main character is half-Hispanic but also doesn't know Spanish. I saw this author in Rochester at the Teen Book Festival and loved his presentation and the story of how he became a writer. I look forward to reading more by de la Pena.”
Mrs. Pava wrote this review Wednesday, May 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Mexican White Boy is about a kid named Danny he is half mexican and half white is dad left him when he way little. During the summer he goes to Mexico to visit his family on his dads side. When he is in Mexico he meets a kid named Uno. Uno teaches Danny how to control his pitches so they will not hit the batter, go over the catchers head, or go go off to the side so the catcher cant reach it after Danny learns how to control his pitches Danny and Uno go to differnt baseball parks and hustle kids for money if Danny struck the kids out then Danny and Uno got the money but if the batter hits the ball in the out field then they get the money. One day when Uno and Danny are at a Padres game he runs in to the scout (guy that has been watching him play baseball) and asks him why are you fallowing me he said that he has been watching him for dannys dan while he is in prison. A couple days later Uno asks Danny if he wants to go and visit his dad before he goes back home with his mom because he looked up to see where he was at when visiting hours were so Danny could see him again.”
Kim S wrote this review Thursday, April 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Mexican WhiteBoy tells the story of Danny, an aspiring pitcher who feels caught between two worlds: the exclusive prep school he attends when he's with his white mother and the Mexican neighborhood he's visiting while living with his dad's family over the summer. He doesn't feel fully part of either world. The author really makes you feel how tough it is for Danny to try to be a success both at baseball and socially!”
WCL4 T wrote this review Tuesday, April 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
