Mexican Whiteboy

by Matt de la Peña

Book Overview

Newbery Award-winning author Matt de la Peña's Mexican Whiteboy is a story of friendship, baseball, acceptance, and the struggle to find your identity in a world of definitions . Danny's tall and skinny. Even though he's not built, his arms are long enough to give his pitch a power so fierce any college scout would sign him on the spot. Ninety-five mile an hour fastball, but the boy's not even on a team. Every time he gets up on the mound he loses...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385733100
• ISBN13: 9780385733106
• Release Date: August 2008
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Length: 249 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 14 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 9 and higher

Customer Reviews

Excellent Identity Book

This is a great book about 2 boys on the road to friendship traveling the "Who am I? Where do I belong?" road. This book would be great for reluctant male readers who understand what it's like out on the streets, trying to go anywhere but where poverty is.

A great read

The great strength of the story is the relationship between Danny and Uno, two kids who start out as rivals and end up the best of friends. The author does an excellent job of telling each of their stories, of presenting them in a way that lets me understand the issues they face, even though I come from an entirely different background. The story is extremely entertaining and well-paced, often combining moments of laugh-out-loud comedy with traces of melancholy and even sadness. Whether you're a baseball fan or not, you'll enjoy the story of these two kids as they navigate the pitfalls of teenage life, cope with family issues, and listen to the preaching of Uno's hilarious (and at times insightful) father, Senior.

Edgy, Timely, and Perfect for all Ages

MEXICAN WHITEBOY is a gripping read that feeds off the depth and magnetism of its characters, the grit and strength of its writing, and its bold and risky themes. De la Pena has drawn a two-perspective portrait of what it means to encompass racial duality and the desire to define ones identity. As the follow-up to his break-out debut hit, BALL DON'T LIE, de la Pena does not disappoint. His ability to write with confidence in urban prose proves he's no poser and his obvious natural ability to draw unique and fascinating characters makes this book relatable to any reader of any age. MEXICAN WHITEBOY dares readers to take a look at the harder, more complex and literary side of "YA" and its edge is certain to cut deep and stay with you long after you're done.

A Great Read About Biracial Teens

This is a great, sweet, funny story about friendship and love set in gritty National City, San Diego. Danny is half Mexican and half white, as the title implies, and he doesn't know where that leaves him in terms of fitting in. Eventual friend Uno is in a similar boat. This is a top-notch exploration of bi-racial space by the author of Ball Don't Lie. Highly recommend it!

Truly Absorbing

I am not a boy, I am not Mexican and I am no longer a teenager but I could relate to Danny. More than that I cared what happened to him. As I turned the pages I was angry with him, disconnected, in pain or feeling his triumphs. And that is just on Danny, what about Senior. I couldn't be farther from Senior when you compare our stats but when his words were on the page I would read and reread them feeling the need to absorb. I can't say enough about this book. Mexican White Boy is a brilliant piece of writing.