Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass

 Bibliography: Medina, M. (2013). Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass. Candlewick Press.     ISBN: 978-1-48066-309-1

Plot Summary: Piddy is at a new school. She doesn't know many people or have many friends, and generally minds her own business. But Yaqui Delgado wants to beat her up, and she doesn't know why.  She is also being bullied because others think she is flaunting her figure.  And for this reason, Yaqui thinks Piddy is trying to steal her boyfriend. The bullying begins to complicate her home and school life, until she is cornered and beaten by Yaqui and her friends. When she is finally forced to report the incident, her life begins to turn back around.

Critical Analysis: Medina portrays Piddy's experiences as a Latina girl facing racism and stereotypes well, highlighting some of the challenges minorities face regularly. Throughout the novel, cultural markers such as food and music enrich the story, celebrating the dynamics of Latin culture. The story also points out that Latin people don't look a certain way, as Piddy herself is light skinned (one of the reasons she is rejected by other Latina girls) and her mother's friend, Lila, is dark. Piddy's journey of self-discovery is marked by moments of success and failure as she struggles with issues of belonging and acceptance. The book encourages readers to stand up against discrimination and celebrate their own unique identities. It highlights the resilience of minority communities and the importance of self-acceptance in creating a more inclusive society. Through Piddy's journey, readers are reminded of the importance of empathy and understanding in the fight against racism and injustice.

Reviews:

Kirkus Reviews: "Far more than just a problem novel, this book sheds light on a serious issue without ever losing sight of its craft."

Goodreads.com: "A story of strong Latina women, YAQUI DELGADO WANTS TO KICK YOUR ASS will charm you with its grit and honesty. It's hard not to cheer for Piddy...."

Awards:

Pura Belpre Award, 2014

Cybils Award, 2013

Americas Award Commended Title, 2014

Connections: 

Use in a Sociology or Psychology class when covering a unit on bullying.  As a class, discuss the effects of bullying on both the victim and the perpetrator.

Borrowed from criticalmediaproject.org:

Use in a Sociology class when covering a unit on race and identity.  Have students analyze how the author deals with race and identity in a class discussion. Have students identify any examples of stereotyping. 

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