Mexican White Boy

De la Pena, M. (2008). Mexican white boy. New York: Delacorte Press.


 Danny Lopez is a biracial sixteen year old who lives in a wealthy northern San Diego county.  Danny’s mother is white and his father is Mexican.  Danny is confused with his sense of identity.  His father had left both he and his mother.  He is not sure if he belongs in a white society or a Mexican society?  Then over the summer, Danny goes to visit some of his father’s side of family in order to get a better understand of his ancestry and to learn why his father left them.  While in Mexico, Danny has a hard time fitting in as well.  He doesn’t speak Spanish and doesn’t have much in common with the boys in the neighborhood except for the love of baseball.  He learns that father is in prison. There is one boy in particular that Danny creates a bond with but it wasn’t easier at first.  Uno punches Danny in the face when they first met but overtime they develop a special friendship.  Over the summer with his family, he finds his focus for the baseball, he learns about his family and the able to embrace his multiculturalism.

This is a great realistic fiction for boys in grades 8^th grade and up.  It does share the Mexican-American culture and heritage.  It also shows how one can overcome their insecurities both from within and with identifying your identity.  The theme of baseball is also predominant in the novel as well.  Readers see how Danny is able to overcome his insecurities in regards to pitching and see how he develops his focus to stand on the mound.