21FA-LS-5653 - Latinx Literature: The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez

“Being punk meant a lot of different things, just like being Mexican meant many things. Sometimes those things didn't seem to match. And that was okay because I'd discovered that maybe the first rule of punk was to make your own rules.”

Bibliography:
Pérez, Celia C. 2017. The First Rule of Punk. New York: Viking. ISBN: 9780425290415

Plot Summary:
María Luisa, who prefers to be called Malú, is a 12-year-old multiracial vegetarian punk rocking zine maker who doesn't resonate as a Mexican American, like her "SuperMexican" mom. Malú relates more to her dad, who also embraces the punk lifestyle and owns a super-cool record store. However, when Malú's mom gets a new temporary professor job in Chicago, they have to move away from everything Malú knows as home, including her dad. In a new city and a new school, Malú feels out of place and misunderstood, especially when another Hispanic girl makes fun of her for being weird. So, when the school announces its annual talent show, Malú feels motivated to start a punk band and prove to her classmates, school administration, and the world that she has a right to fight to be herself, the first rule of punk.  

Critical Analysis:
The First Rule of Punk by Celia C Pérez is a unique middle-grade novel that combines storytelling and zine illustrations. Malú is a dynamic character that many middle-grade readers will relate to and find relevant. She's Mexican American and Caucasian and struggles with her Hispanic identity and connecting with her mom since she feels that she isn't the perfect Mexican daughter. Malú loves punk rock music, skateboarding, making zines, and vegetarian food, which all seem to go against the Mexican side of her upbringing. Even more so, she hates cilantro, which is basically a Latino staple, and has difficulty speaking Spanish. As a half-Mexican-Caucasian alternative-rock-loving female, I wholeheartedly identified with Malú and her struggles to embrace her Mexican identity. Readers will also enjoy the characters that Malú meets along her journey in Chicago, who help her learn how to cherish her Mexican American heritage. 

Each character is compelling and important to the narrative. Señora Oralia introduces Malú to ranchera music, specifically Lola Beltrán (the inspiration for Malú's ranchera-punk version of Cielito Lindo later in the story). Mrs. Hidalgo, another Latina punk rocker, introduces Malú to Mexican punk bands, which is the first time she realizes that she's not the only Mexican punk rocker out in the world; therefore, she is not alone. Furthermore, Mrs. Hidalgo's son, Joe, becomes Malú's first official friend in Chicago, which helps her feel welcome and that she's made a new home outside of Florida, where she is originally from — where her dad still lives since her parents are divorced. Together, Malú and Joe invite the other characters, Benny and Ellie, to form a punk rock band, The Co-Cos (short for the coconuts), despite some not knowing how to play an instrument and others not knowing anything about punk rock. Additionally, readers will even begin to feel sorry for the antagonist, Selena, who teases Malú for being different and goes as far as calling her a coconut, which means that she's brown on the outside and white on the inside — referring to Malú being Mexican and Caucasian (having brown skin but acting white). 

Not only does the novel have authentic and dynamic characters, but it also presents accurate Latinx culture in the Chicago setting. Readers will learn about Hispanic cultures and traditions, such as El Día de Los Muertos, ofrendas, worry dolls, Frida Kahlo, and more. Readers will also have a better idea of the punk rock lifestyle and music after reading this novel. Malú mentions her favorite bands like X-Ray Spex, The Smiths, and The Ramones, and Mrs. Hidalgo introduces Malú to Latinx punk bands, such as The Zeros, The Brat, and The Plugz. The setting is consistent with contemporary time as the author provides fine details about Chicago, Illinois, including traveling on the L train or attending a White Sox game. Likewise, Celia C. Pérez is a talented zine illustrator. She successfully blends fun and informational zines into the story that consistently reflects what Malú is experiencing or questioning, such as her struggle to identify with being punk rock and Mexican. 

Overall, The First Rule of Punk by Celia C Pérez is a fantastic middle-grade novel that accurately reflects the cultural experiences of a coconut girl who learns how to embrace her punk lifestyle with her Mexican heritage. Readers will love the short chapters, which makes the book easy to read, and will have no problem recognizing or learning the Spanish words incorporated throughout the novel. Readers will come across Spanish words and phrases, such as vámonos, Calaveras, pan dulce, chorizo, Hecho en Mexico, señorita, and more. The story will help readers reflect on expressing individualism and identity, standing up for their rights, as well as what it means to be a punk and an activist. The end of the novel also includes information on how to make a zine, worry dolls in Hispanic culture, and music recommendations for more Hispanic punk rock. I highly recommend this book to all readers, primarily ages 12 and up. Anyone interested in music, bands, punk rock, Mexican-Caucasian identity, and just a generally entertaining narrative should pick up this book right away. 

Awards & Reviews:
  • 2018 ALSC Notable Children's Book 
  • 2018 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction & Poetry Nominee 
  • 2018 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book
  • 2018 Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award 
  • 2017 Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Book
  • 2017 Nerdy Book Award Winner
From Kirkus Reviews, "A charming debut about a thoughtful, creative preteen connecting to both halves of her identity." 

From Publishers Weekly, "Pérez’s debut is as exuberant as its heroine... A rowdy reminder that people are at their best when they aren’t forced into neat, tidy boxes."

From School Library Journal, "Those who enjoy vivacious, plucky heroines... will eagerly embrace Malu."

Connections:
Discussion: Play Celia C. Pérez's curated playlist for The First Rule of Punk for patrons to listen and discuss Latinx Punk. Ask patrons to share songs that inspire them and talk about why they resonate with their music choice.  

Recommendation: For patrons interested in learning more about Latinx Punk, recommend the following video, The Very Latinx History of Punk by AJ Plus. 

Activity: Watch this Zine Making Video by The Oregonian with patrons to teach them how to fold a piece of paper into a zine. Once everyone is finished folding their zine, play The First Rule of Punk-inspired YouTube playlist for patrons to listen to Ranchera and Punk while drawing or decorating their zines. 

Patrons who liked The First Rule of Punk might also enjoy the following by Celia C. Pérez:
  • Pérez, Celia C. 2019. Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers. ISBN: 9780425290439
  • Pérez, Celia C. 2014. Ofrenda: A Zine Anthology. ISBN: 9780989709866
For patrons looking for Latinx middle-grade novels similar to The First Rule of Punk, recommend:
  • Cervantes, Angela. 2018. Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring. ISBN: 9781338159318
  • Medina, Meg. 2018. Merci Suárez Changes Gears. ISBN: 9780763690496
  • Torres, Jennifer. 2017. Stef Soto, Taco Queen. ISBN: 9780316306867