UNDER THE MESQUITE by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

Under the Mesquite, by Guadalupe Garcia McCall, is a beautifully written free verse novel about the struggles of a teenage Mexican-American girl as she comes of age.  The reader immediately falls in love with Lupita, the main character, who is a budding writer and actor.  Through the verse in this novel, the reader sees the struggles that Lupita goes through as she moves to a new home, los Estados Unidos.  McCall gives flashbacks in Lupita's life as a young girl in Mexico to give more understanding of her cultural roots.  As Lupita enters high school, she learns that her mother has cancer, and Lupita must take on more responsibility in the home.  We follow her through these struggles as the novel emotionally describes how Lupita overcomes and realizes the importance of family.  She escapes the chaos at home by writing down her emotions in the shade of a mesquite tree growing in the middle of her mother's rose garden.

The free verse novel is full of figurative language that provides emotions and meaning to much of Lupita's life.  "His hands were rough and scratchy / against my skin, and the bits of sawdust / clinging to his work clothes / were tiny mosquitoes biting into my arms" (McCall 2011, 32).  With well placed Spanish, including a glossary in the back of the book, McCall demonstrates how Lupita is able to still hold on to her heritage while also becoming an American teenager.

Garcia McCall, Guadalupe.  Under the Mesquite.  New York: Lee & Low Books, Inc., 2011.  ISBN:  9781600604294

Book Reviews

"With poignant imagery and well placed Spanish, the author effectively captures the complex lives of teenagers in many Latino and/or immigrant families." -- Kirkus Reviews

"The simplicity of the story line belies the deep richness of McCall's writing." -- School Library Journal

"The close knit family relationships... are vividly portrayed, as is the healing comfort Lupita finds in words." -- Booklist

Awards for Under the Mesquite

Winner of the 2012 Pura Belpre Award

2012 William C. Morris Debut Award Finalist

Top 10 Can't Miss Fall Books for Teens (Kirkus Reviews)

Other Books by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

Summer of the Mariposas

Read about the author here.

Connections

If you enjoyed Under the Mesquite, try these books:

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai 

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson