Lupe Wong Won't Dance

Lupe Wong is of Chinese and Mexican heritage, the first string pitcher on her 7th grade baseball team, and determined to be the first woman pitcher in the major leagues. Her uncle has told her that if she gets straight As, he'll introduce her to Fu Li, a pitcher she's looked up to and of the same mixed heritage as she. But this PE quarter may throw off all her grand plans, because they're doing a unit on square dancing.

Joining Lupe are a great cast of characters, family and friends, who support her, misunderstand her, and have back stories in their own right that readers occasionally see through Lupe's first-person narration or in conversations with her. Lupe is young, and sometimes makes mistakes with her friends Niles and Andy, seeing show more things narrowly through her own point of view and using them to her own ends. And she's still mourning the passing of her father. I found myself, as an adult reader, sometimes irritated with her inability to see outside of herself, but I think a child reader would sympathize more and that it was a realistic. Lupe grows over the course of the novel: she's always fiery and taking up causes, but exactly how she does that - especially in relation to square dancing - shifts from a demand to stop it because she doesn't want to do it to a more nuanced acknowledgement of the good and the bad of it, and a desire to be more inclusive in general. show less

Lupe Wong has a deal with her uncle Hector: If she gets all As on her seventh-grade report card, he’ll introduce her to her favorite professional baseball player whom she idolizes, in part because like herself, he is half Chinese and half Mexican. Gym class seems like it’ll be an easy A for the sports proficient Lupe – that is until her coach introduces a new unit on square dancing. Lupe is dead set against having to dance with her classmates, and even more so when she learns it’s strictly boy-girl couples. How can Lupe convince her school that square dancing is so obsolete that it should be abolished from the curriculum?

This was a fun and entertaining read, with excellent craftsmanship in the writing and main characters (and show more even side characters) who were well rounded and felt frankly real. There is actual inclusivity here, not just tokenism, with Lupe’s multiethnic family and two best friends who are respectively Black and autistic, as well as other characters of color and diverse family backgrounds. None of these characters are defined solely by these traits, however; instead they have hobbies, interests, back stories, etc. From Star Trek vs. Star Wars face-offs to a miniature city of mice bones pulled from owl vomit (yup, you read that right) named “New Yack,” these are unforgettable character quirks.

I will note that Higuera is a bit crass at times with her language, because that is how Lupe’s personality works – and honestly, that of the middle grade audience this book is intended to reach. Puke, pee, etc. are all fair play. However, she also makes mention of things like STDs (the context being Lupe protesting against the use of the song “Cotton-Eyed Joe” in gym class to try and shut down square dancing), so readers may need some level of maturity for this book.

Also, Higuera’s by-and-large humorous book does tackle some very heavy issues including the death of a parent (in the past, but the family is obviously still dealing with the grief), bullying / friendship issues, and racism. These issues are handled deftly and overall positive messages about striving to be a better person are conveyed without being didactic or heavy handed. show less

Issaquah, WA Middle schooler Lupe Wong loves baseball and is deeply upset that her PE requirement is square dancing. She works on getting this changed. One of her best friends is autistic. Kinda salty in an appropriate way (farts, boogers, etc) -- and I love the irreverence of it -- Lupe's character is so matter of factly herself, and she does not give up. I was fascinated to learn the history of square dancing in middle school, of several of the songs that are traditionally used (even though that history is ugly) and I loved to see her activism bear fruit. I also really loved that the teachers and principal were so willing to hear her, even if they weren't willing to change their minds, and I loved the cringy/goofy adults celebrating show more square dancing, because dance makes us feel good in a way that nothing else can. Great story.

Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss show less

Lupe's dad once told her that when she was passionate about something, she should never settle for less. She's taken that advice to heart, especially since her dad died soon after that in a tragic accident. Her previous causes have included things like getting more race options on school forms for biracial kids like herself, but she may have just met her Waterloo: square dancing. Why should square dancing be part of the 7th grade PE curriculum? It's not even a sport! As Lupe's efforts to escape her square dancing nightmare intensify, she finds her social standing and even her closest friendships at risk. Is it worth it, or should she bow (and do-si-do) to the inevitable?

Lupe is a great, strong character, and the secondary characters show more (both adults and Lupe's classmates) are likewise well-drawn. I enjoyed Lupe's sometimes-misguided activism. Kids will enjoy the booger and fart jokes. Win-win! show less

When Lupe finds that her chance of straight As might be in jeopardy because of the square dance unit in gym, she's on a mission to get the unit tossed. She frequently goes to her principal, the teacher, and even starts a change.org petition. She digs up a problematic history in some of the music used. But she has to dig deep to figure it out. Her friendships get strained, she feels like she doesn't fit. She sticks to her guns to follow her moral compass and points out to the adults sticking to traditions the way the old ways exclude and changes that could be made to include. And the powers that be are open to doing better once they know better. A touching conclusion. Lupe embraces both her Mexican and Chinese background. Lupe can be show more prickly, but she is loyal, caring, and relies on her inner voice (her dad's advice) to help her navigate tough stuff. show less

Meet Lupe Wong -- a total jock who is appalled that she will be required to learn square dancing in P.E. class. On a quest to earn straight As and get to meet her baseball idol Fu Li (who is also Mexican and Chinese like Lupe), Lupe sees square dancing as lame and a potential grade changer. Armed with a PowerPoint presentation she tries to stop Square Dancing in its tracks. However, in her quest to squash square dancing she is losing sight of what is important? Lupe may have to choose between her “A”, making a difference for her fellow classmates, and being there for her friends when they need her.
The narration in this novel is inclusive and authentic, and the humor is wonderful. I found myself chuckling as I read – got to love show more the opening sentence: “My gym shorts burrow into my butt crack like a frightened groundhog.”
Lupe is a strong character who doesn’t shy away from challenges or bullies, but she can sometimes be self-centered and steamroll her friends. Lupe grows during the story and her enthusiasm is infectious.
Lupe Wong Won’t Dance is funny and fresh but also addresses the loss of a parent and the importance of family even when school is probably central to a middle schooler’s life. show less

Charming, uplifting, and unique - this middle grade novel is a tour de force. Lupe Wong is willing to do whatever it takes to get straight A's so she can meet her baseball hero, Fu Li Hernandez. Like Lupe Fu Li is Mexicanese/Chinacan and since her father's death there has been a hole in her life and she is convinced that if she meets Fu Li it will somehow make her closer to her father. The only thing standing in her way is... square dancing. PE was supposed to be her easy A - but when she finds out that she will be required to dance and dance with a boy - she vows to do all in her power to stop it. What starts as merely a crusade against dancing turns into a crusade for cultural identity, friendship, and speaking up for what you believe show more in. I may or may not have teared up a few times as well. This story is warm, wholesome, and filled with the greatest characters and life lessons. I loved this book with my whole heart! show less