The Education of Margot Sanchez

Overall, I found The Education of Margot Sanchez to be an easy read. There were a few Spanish words and phrases that the author offered no translation for non-Spanish speakers, but that didn't throw me too severely.  Maybe it's because I've watched way too many John Hughes movies in my lifetime, but this book reminded me of an 80's "Brat Pack" movie like Pretty in Pink. The stories focus on finding and being true to yourself is something that most teenagers can relate to. I like that Rivera kept the books focus on Margot and her family. This small circle held the narrative to a tight focus; I also love how Rivera didn't just make her characters Hispanic-American in name only they felt like a real Hispanic-American family. Albeit it in an overdramatic fashion, this book handles many subjects that teens deal with in their own lives. I think that this book an excellent read for young adults. I would recommend this book to people. Having said that, I do not believe that I would use this book in my classroom. As we had discussed after Sean read the first few pages to us on the first day of class the way in which Margot describes some of her new workmates didn't make me uncomfortable as a person where it did make me nervous is as a male going into teaching. I already get quite a few sideways looks when people find out that I am a dude who wants to teach high school age students. I don't need some parent flying off the handle and accusing me of trying force their kid to read "smut" if this were part of the school curriculum than I would welcome it with open arms, but I would not go out of my way to try and incorporate it on my own.