Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass
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4.2 • 32 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
Winner of the 2014 Pura Belpré Author Award! In Meg Medina’s compelling new novel, a Latina teen is targeted by a bully at her new school — and must discover resources she never knew she had. One morning before school, some girl tells Piddy Sanchez that Yaqui Delgado hates her and wants to kick her ass. Piddy doesn’t even know who Yaqui is, never mind what she’s done to piss her off. Word is that Yaqui thinks Piddy is stuck-up, shakes her stuff when she walks, and isn’t Latin enough with her white skin, good grades, and no accent. And Yaqui isn’t kidding around, so Piddy better watch her back. At first Piddy is more concerned with trying to find out more about the father she’s never met and how to balance honors courses with her weekend job at the neighborhood hair salon. But as the harassment escalates, avoiding Yaqui and her gang starts to take over Piddy’s life. Is there any way for Piddy to survive without closing herself off or running away? In an all-too-realistic novel, Meg Medina portrays a sympathetic heroine who is forced to decide who she really is.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
This sweet, gritty YA novel by Meg Medina is the kind of book that envelops you in its world, making it hard to put down. It’s told through the eyes of Piddy, a high school sophomore from Queens who’s always been at the top of her class. But when Piddy moves to a new high school, a tough girl she’s never met begins to make her life miserable. As the bullying spirals out of control, Medina’s heroine questions who she really is and chooses to leave the “kid” version of herself behind. We love a story that has tons of heart without being overly sentimental—Medina really made us think about how we define strength.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
High school sophomore Piddy Sanchez can't catch a break. She's just moved and transferred schools, separating her from her best friend. Piddy's curvy figure attracts the attention of both boys and school bully Yaqui, who is jealous and won't accept ambitious and independent Piddy into her group of Latinas, and threatens to harm her. Piddy's life is complicated enough before Yaqui's cruel threats and violent attacks. Outside of school, Piddy works with a flamboyant family friend at a hair salon; has just discovered that her traditional mother may have secrets about Piddy's absent father; develops romantic feelings for a childhood friend; and worries if her dream of working with animals can come true. When Yaqui takes things too far, Piddy has to decide what she is willing to do to defend herself. Piddy is a strong heroine whose sense of self is realistically jarred by her conflicting emotions. Medina (The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind) effectively prods at the motivations behind bullying (without excusing it) and sensitively explores the delicate balance between belonging and maintaining individuality. Ages 14 up.
Customer Reviews
Just Amazing!
Today I finished reading this book for the second time, and it did not disappoint. Honestly one of my forever favorites. As a high school student, this is honestly a book that paints the reality of what it’s like being in high school and having people pick on you for no absolute reason, it’s a relatable book. This book had me feeling all types of emotions as if I were Piddy myself, from being in an environment where you feel extremely confused, terrified and alone, to feeling what’s it like falling in love for the very first time, to arguing with your all time best friend, everything here is just amazing. I recommend!