The Tequila Worm

Sofia is someone I wish I had known in my own coming of age days. She is joyful, kind, and true to herself. Even at such a young age she knows an opportunity when she sees it and isn't afraid to be ambitious enough to reach for it. Growing up in a barrio in Texas, Sofia cherishes her family traditions but wants to spread her wings. When she earns the opportunity to go away to a reputable boarding school she jumps at the chance. There she learns more about her culture by being without it. This is a heartwarming story about embracing differences and the power of family.

Told in the first person this Bildungsroman starts with childlike impressions of home and family. Sofia’s impressions and narration matures as she grows into the milieu of her Mexican-American family and barrio in McAllen, Texas. In Sofia’s Rio Grande Valley neighborhood, the expectation is for her to become one of the comadres, someone who is part of the group of friends and relatives who help others members achieve their desires. You do not do this in isolation. She is expected to participate in helping others give birth to their goals, and in return they will help her hers.

These are character traits that are great aids to her when the scholarly Sofia wins a scholarship to a prestigious Episcopal prep school in far north Austin, show more Texas, two-hundred-eight-three miles, nine hours away from her home and friends by bus. And one of only three Tejanos among hundreds of upper class Anglo students.

It’s a marvelously inspiring work by Canales who lived the same experience. show less

I bought this for my 12-year-old niece, and I have a rule about reading books I've not read before I give them to her. It's amazing in every possible way. Somebody once told me that books win awards for a reason, and The Tequila Worm bolsters that theory quite beautifully. I simply had to have a copy for my own shelves, unapologetically. I don't have children. I just wanted it. For myself, a grown woman. It's that good.

The Tequila Worm is about an adolescent Mexican-American girl caught between her Mexican heritage and her American heritage, trying to find her place in both. Sofia is from a small, close-knit community in McAllen, Texas where she shares a close relationship with her family and cousin, Berta. One day at school, Sofia was referred to as a “taco head” by a fellow student. Sofia decides to retaliate against this student by becoming the better athlete and academic student. Sofia’s hard work and dedication earns her scholarship to a boarding school, which consists of predominantly upper class, white American students, in Austin, Texas, 300 miles away from her family and friends. Sofia’s time away from home helps her to realize and show more understand all of the traditions and values her mother and father had been trying to instill in her.

I thought this was an excellent book. The suggested reading level is grades 6-9. Be cautious of the religious content if considering this book as a class read. show less

I learned a lot about Latino cultures and traditions that I didn't know before reading this book. Canales includes rich Spanish vocabulary which further instructs. This story highlights the important rituals and family connections that are indicative of this culture. Students who are already familiar with this culture also benefit, as they're able to readily identify with a very likeable young protagonist (Sofia) as she works through her coming of age struggles. You always know it's a good story when you both laugh and cry...

I loved this book. This may be due in part to my ability to relate to it. However, I think this makes it potentially appealing to many readers in California. I felt a personal connection to the main character, Sofia as she was a Latina growing up in the U.S. and having to find her way to fit in between two cultures. Many Latino students in California go through the self-discovery that comes about as you learn that you are different than others where you live while at the same time learning what value to place on your own family's culture and your heritage. Sofia is a noble character that is a role model for all students, but especially Latino students. She is very likeable and I believe that these connections alone make The Tequila Worm show more a worthwhile read for students.

Connections could be made in Spanish language classes, U.S. history and any other class that is making connections to North American culture or even just advisory types of classes that are designed to teach students what it means to grow up and make plans for the future. show less

Canales’ The Tequila Worm is a coming-of-age tale interwoven with a rich portrait of Mexican-American culture. Tequila is reminiscent of Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street, exploring themes of discrimination, poverty within the Mexican-American community, and female identity. Canales’ Sofia, though, sees Latina women’s traditional roles positively, and hopes to join the women in her community as a comadre when she is older.
Canales incorporates cultural details and Spanish terminology throughout the narrative; the southern Texas setting adds a borderland dimension. Readers are introduced to the food and storytelling traditions that undergird Sofia’s close-knit Mexican-American community, and rituals and holidays factor show more heavily into this life as well. There is trick-or-treating and the Day of the Dead, cascarones at Easter, first communion and quinceañera rituals. The experiences of her home culture are contrasted with discrimination and negativity in Sofia’s public school, and later with a sense of culture shock as she attends a mostly-white, affluent boarding school in Austin. Sofia’s ability to find balance between the two worlds and to return to her home further communicate the complexities and depth of experience for Latina women navigating dual cultures.
Libraries are likely to value this book for its engaging narrative and thoughtful depiction of Latina experience. It explores difficult subjects but is not, on the whole, a dark novel, which makes it accessible to young adult readers. Additionally, as a Pura Belpré Award winner for narrative, Tequila could be considered a must-have item for any collections that include Latino-focused young adult and children’s titles. show less