2/22/13

Mexican WhiteBoy pages 1-94

 

 

Dear Reader,

 

In the Mexican WhiteBoy by de la Pena, divorce plays a key role in the way the kids react to challenges in life. One boy, Danny, has a hard time fitting in because he is half Mexican and half white. Due to the problems in his life, Danny is very shy. His parents divorced and he lives with his mom but wants to find his dad. “Ever since his dad took off, Danny’s drifted apart from his mom. He hardly even acknowledges her presence these days. She’s the reason he went quiet in the first place. The reason his dad’s gone. The reason he’s whitewashed and an outsider even with his own family” (41). Danny feels like an outsider because of his parents divorce. Also, he’s never felt like he fits in because he’s half white, half Mexican. “He’s Mexican, because his family’s Mexican, but he’s not really Mexican…Danny holds the pencil above the paper thinking: I’m a white boy among Mexicans, and a Mexican among white boys” (90). These are Danny’s feelings throughout the book so far. Danny finds it difficult to fit in because of his appearance and his broken family. Why can’t Danny just accept who he is?

 

Danny is staying the summer in National City where his dad grew up. He is staying in National City with his dad’s side of the family so that he doesn’t have to stay with his mom and mom’s boyfriend for the summer. Danny doesn’t want to stay the summer with his mom because he doesn’t feel that he connects with his mom. He wants to find his dad and unite with his Mexican family.  

 

Danny has always been good at baseball, but even in this sport he doesn’t fit in because he’s better than everybody else. He finds this out in a home run derby on Potomac Street, in National City on page 8 in the book.  Before Danny arrived in Mexico, Uno was the best player on the team. Nobody on the team thinks that Danny will be any good at playing baseball. But when Danny smashes the tennis ball over two houses everyone is in shock. Nobody believes that he can hit the ball like that again but he does two more times. Wherever he goes and whatever he does Danny is always an outsider. I wish that Danny could be happy with his baseball ability.

 

Uno gets very jealous when Danny can hit the ball farther than him, so to get revenge Uno fires a fastball to the inside. The impact of the ball on the bat was so hard that the bat flew from Danny’s hands and hit Uno’s younger brother Manny in the face. Uno starts yelling at Danny. “Danny glances at the guys watching from behind Uno. He’s about to say he’s sorry again, louder this time, so he’ll be heard, but it’s too late. Uno’s already gritting his teeth. Uno’s already stepping forward with all his weight, delivering an overhead right that smashes flush into Danny’s face. Snaps his head back. Buckles his knees” (24). Why couldn’t Danny stick up for himself? Was there any other way that Uno could handle his emotions and anger instead of taking it out on Danny? I disagree with the way that Uno handled himself. I feel like he could have been more mature and not let his jealousy control the way he acted. Uno gets jealous again when they are measuring the speed of the ball on page 81. Again, Uno was the best pitcher out of everybody before Danny came. Uno’s fastest pitch is 69mph and Danny’s fastest pitch is 92mph. Uno becomes resentful because he’s used to receiving all the attention. Divorce plays a key role in the way that Danny and Uno act.  

 

I feel that his parents’ divorce probably has something to do with the way Uno acts. Both Danny’s parents and Uno’s parents are divorced. It is clear in this book that divorce affects the whole family and the choices that they make. Uno grew up in a household where there is a lot of anger and stress and Uno takes that pain out on Danny. 

 

A novel called The Pinballs by Betsy Cromer Byars is similar to Mexican WhiteBoy in the sense of divorce, broken families and outcasts. The Pinballs is about three kids who are outcasts from different families all end up in a foster home because their parents hurt them physically. Thomas, Carlie, and Harvey all are taken in by a foster family. Over time the three teens grow together and learn to trust one another. In the beginning they were all angry with each other because of the way their parents treated them. This is similar to the way Uno acts towards Danny. Uno is jealous at Danny. Uno’s parents are divorced and they are always arguing so Uno sees them arguing and thinks its okay to act like that with other people. I’m hoping that by the end of the book Danny and Uno will become friends just like Thomas, Carlie, and Harvey and learn that jealousy isn’t the answer.

 

So far I am enjoying this novel and am excited to find out what happens next in Danny’s baseball journey and the conflicts between Uno and Danny.

 

Sincerely,

Sara Houle

2/25/12 anne silveira

2/18/13                                                                       Mexican White Boy Pages 1-94
Dear Reader,          

          After reading the first few pages of Mexican White Boy by Matt de la Peña, I realize that culture really comes into play. The characters speak in a dialect that is clearly of Mexican descent. They have distinctive accents and use Spanish phrases intertwined with English sentences, allowing one to discover that they are truly Mexican Americans. An instance when this is evident is when Sofia first introduces Danny to her friends by saying, “Oye puntas…Yo, this is my cousin Danny” (1). I feel that it is important for one to express their culture because it defines who they are. I really appreciate that fact that the author incorporates these aspects of culture because it gives me the feeling that I am immersed in a Mexican lifestyle, which make the events more realistic. 

            Not only does their vernacular indicate that they have a specific culture, but their actions do, as well. The protagonist’s entire family constantly protect and support him, and in return Danny always assists his family and friends. On page 52, the reader learns that Danny’s Mexican family takes him in, so that he does not have to live with his mother’s boyfriend for the summer. The fact that they open their home to him on short notice is what families do, emphasizing the fact that they all truly care about one another. Also, Uno's father asks Uno to come and live with him, proving that he truly loves him and wants to give him a better life. Mi Familia, as they say, is important in the Mexican culture, so it is no surprise when Danny, his family, and friends are there for each other.  Personally, I consider family to be one of the most important things in life, so I truly appreciate de la Peña’s way of incorporating this idea throughout the novel.

           One of my favorite instances of protecting one’s family is evident when Danny, Sofia, and their friends are about to set off for the Del Mar Fair. Earlier in the novel, Danny is beaten up by a black kid named Uno because he is about to win the improvised cul-de-sac home run derby. Danny is beaten up pretty badly and his family doesn't appreciate it, so Danny’s Uncle Ray comes to the kids and says to Danny, “This pinche pendejo raise a hand in you?(referring to Uno)...Say the word, D. That’s all I need. I’ll handle it from there” (61). Here Ray is prepared to beat on Uno for hurting Danny, just as any Mexican uncle would protect his nephew, which I admire, but is it really the right thing to do? Danny then decides to protect his “friend” by saying that Uno didn't hurt him; they just ran into each other. This keeps Uncle Ray from hurting Uno, and it causes Uno to gain some respect for Danny, so it is a win-win situation. Although it makes sense for Danny to protect Uno because that is how he is raised, it still perplexes me as to why he does so. Danny is seriously injured because of Uno, and I assume that he wants revenge. What do you think? Why does Danny protect Uno?

          One of the first things that Danny addresses when he is introduced is that he feels out of place, alone, and criticized because of something he can’t control: his skin color. A quote that catches my eye every time I read it is, “I’m a white boy among Mexicans, and a Mexican among white boys” (90). I, myself, believe that de la Peña chooses to say this so that he can accurately portray Danny’s feelings and his identity. This perfectly illustrates Danny’s inner conflict. It shows how he has mixed emotions over his appearance because wherever he goes, he sticks out like a sore thumb. Danny also seems to struggle understanding who he really is. He feels he isn't accepted anywhere and will never fit in because his skin color isn't similar to the people that he is around.

          The way that Danny feels reminds me of how African Americans may have felt when they came over to America in the 1800’s. They didn't have a place where they could feel normal because they always stuck out among their white counterparts. This is exactly like Danny because he can’t find a group he fits in with. He is “A shade darker than all the white kids at his private high school…But whenever Danny comes down here, to National City… he feels pale. A full shade lighter. Albino almost”(2).

         Even though Danny thinks that this characteristic has only made his life more difficult, I think that his skin color makes him unique. There are very few people that can say they are “Mexican white boys”, so the fact that Danny can, gives him an identity of his own. With this identity, Danny experiences what it is like to be both an American and a Mexican teenager, molding him into who he is today. It is clear that Danny doesn't see this as positive because he always says he’d pick, “To be a real Lopez” (47), as opposed to himself. He clearly doesn't like who he is, but I hope, for his sake, that he will see that he really is special. Do you think that by the end of the novel Danny will find himself and learn to accept who he is and his skin?

          I can’t even imagine how people struggle when they try to find their place in society, if they are of a different race. It is hard to sympathize because I haven’t experienced it, but I can say that it must be challenging. I know that many of you can relate because you too have gone through this type of experience. How would you feel in a situation like this? Would you embrace your uniqueness like Uno, a black boy among Mexicans, or would you stay in the shadows like Danny?

          Even though Uno seems to be a strong person in public, I can't help but wonder whether or not he is always like this. When he speaks to his father he always seems to be nervous and scared. His father always tries to provide him with deep insight, especially about how to live a better life, which just seems to confuse Uno about who he is. It is as if he and Danny share the problem of finding themselves. The boys also seem to share conflicts within their families because both of their parents are divorced. Do you think that these common problems will eventually bring them together?

          As de la Peña ingeniously changes the point of view, from following Danny to observing Uno, throughout the novel, I observe some life lessons that they both need to learn. When Uno’s father, Senior, is speaking with Uno about how to live a satisfying life he says, “I know how hard it is, son. You find acceptance. Reinforcement. I been there and back, two times. But answer me this question: you roll with suckers, play sucker games, come up with sucker schemes-what that makes you, boy?...Makes you a sucker!” (34). I personally believe that anyone from any walk of life can learn from this or say it to someone to put them on the right track. I feel that this quote needs to be relayed to some people to get them to understand that they are not the best in the world because they do foolish things, instead they will be viewed as low lives. The fact that de la Peña incorporates this idea excites me because it is officially out in the world so people can learn from it, which is exactly what I believe society needs.

          When Danny and Uno are in a fight at the home run derby on page 24, I believe that this quote needs to be said to give Uno a reality check. There is absolutely no reason for Uno to beat up Danny. Uno is angry that he is about to lose the home run derby, proving that he is immature and a sore loser. Also, he is angry that Danny accidentally flings the bat at his younger brother Manny, yet this is no reason to hurt Danny. Clearly, Uno is a “sucker” at this point and he deserves to be punished for his actions.

           While reading this novel, I notice numerous instances in which the ideals and actions of society today have come into play. Parents are divorced, families are separated, kids find entertainment, both good and bad, religion is a must, people fight, and sports are high on the totem pole, especially for Danny and Uno who love baseball. All of this clearly resembles society today, but does that mean it is right? When I think about it, it’s confusing because the characters in this novel follow all of these societal views, yet they aren’t the best role models. Why?

          This novel has really given me a glimpse of various ways of life that I only had a faint idea about. The way that de la Peña incorporates everything from Mexican food to Mexican fights is interesting and makes me want to read more. So I have to go and continue my journey to discover who the true Mexican white boy is.

Sincerely,
Anne Silveira

2/25/13 post

2/20/13                                                                                                      Mexican White Boy pages 1-94

Dear Reader,

      The beginning of the book at the home run derby was very interesting.  There were many conflicts and I learned a lot about the characters.  I am very curious how the character's personalities and conflicts will portray throughout the book.  The fight at the end of the derby was very controversial.  It was an accident in my opinion.  I do not agree with Uno's outburst and I believe him punching Danny was childish and not necessary.  I understand the need to be protective of your family, but getting into a fight seriously?  What do you think in this situation, and what would you do?
 
      I learned a lot about the protagonist, Danny, in the beginning.  He is a shy person who never feels like he fits in with his family.  In the book it says," And Danny's brown.  Half-Mexican brown.  A shade darker than all of the white kids at his private high school, Leucadia Prep.  Up there, Mexican people are under-the-table yard work and hide out in the hills because they're here in San Diego illegally.  Only other people on Leucadia's campus who share his shade are the lunch-line ladies, the gardeners, the custodians.  But whenever Danny comes down here, to National City- where his dad grew up, where all his aunts and uncles and cousins still live- he feels pale.  A full shade lighter.  Albino almost" (Pena, 2).  Here I felt as though I could really understand Danny.  I sympathized him because it must be hard in life to never feel like he belongs.  I feel as though this will be a huge conflict throughout the novel; it could present a theme about finding out who you are and the struggles of excepting yourself.  What is your opinion of Danny and have you ever been in a similar situation where you don't feel like you belong?

      I find Uno annoying and very immature.  He acted very childish when Danny almost beat his record in the derby.  He is a bad sport who can't lose; I believe he can't lose so he had to cheat by throwing Danny had pitches to hit.  He can't face losing and seems to be all about his reputation.  Uno also seems to over react to a situation. He didn't need to get in a fight with Danny because Danny accidently hurt his stepbrother, Manny.  I believe this action was really immature and irresponsible of Uno.  On pages 20-22 I really saw the jealousy and rudeness of Uno towards Danny.

     There is a major conflict between Uno and Danny.  Uno just goes and punches Danny, and I believe that the conflict will be seen throughout the novel.  I believe that this conflict will be seen throughout the novel.  I am very curious on how the conflict will be resolved.  If it ever gets resolved; I wonder if Danny and Uno could become friends or will they remain enemies.  The fight was awful and I wonder if Danny could forgive Uno.  The novel says, " Uno's already stepping forward with all his weight, delivering an overhead right that smashes flush into Danny's face" (Pena 24).  Here is when I believe the conflict unfold and a real issue occurs.  What is your opinion of the fight?

      I felt like I saw Danny's life at home in the very last chapter.  I learned a lot about his mom and the life she wants to live.  I also noticed that Danny isn't to enthusiastic about San Francisco like his mother.  This could become another conflict.  In the chapter it is written, "God, Danny boy, I think this man might be the one.  I mean it, honey.  I think this might be it for your crazy mom" (Pena 94).

      Danny's mother is a very happy but at the same time she is kind of selfish; even though she doesn't mean it.  She is so wrapped up in her life that it almost seems she has forgotten Danny's father.  Wendy really loves  San Francisco, but isn't thinking about what the children might want.  When Wendy is talking to Danny Wendy says, "Things couldn't be better to tell you the truth.  San Francisco is such a gorgeous city.  My God. The fog rolling through the hills, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, the amazing shopping, all the different restaurants.  And the culture, hon. ... But it's not like that here in San Francisco.  Here, everybody lives together" (Pena 93).

      While Wendy is enjoying the city it seems that Danny is dreading San Francisco.  I saw a lot in Danny's character in this chapter.  He is upset that with his mom for moving on from his Dad.  This is like the novel Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman.  In the novel Paul, the protagonist's brother is mad at his father for leaving the family.  In both books a character is mad at a parent because of a divorce or separation.  After the phone call with his mom Danny thinks to himself "How could his mom do this to his dad? He wants nothing to do with her ever again.  He doesn't care if he has to sleep on a cot the rest of his high school career. He's not going back with her" (Pena 94).  What do you think of Danny's reaction how would you react?

      There really wasn't a lot of hard vocabulary in this book.  I believe the hardest words were in Spanish.  But if you are fluent in Spanish then you won't have a hard time reading this book.  I used a translator though and have increased my Spanish vocabulary.  Which I find fascinating too increase your knowledge in a new language.  As someone who has grown up in the United States I believe it is very important to know another language you never know when you might have to communicate with someone who doesn't know English.  I found it enjoyable to increase my vocabulary in Spanish from this book.

Sincerely,
Lauren Abbott

     

     
   

2/21/13                                                            Mexican Whiteboy Pgs 1-95     
Dear Reader,


           When Uno viciously punched Danny in the face during the home run derby, I was furious because Danny did not intentionally throw his bat at Manny. It was unfortunate that Manny happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time when the bat smashed him in the face, but this incident was an accident. Uno had no right to lay a hand on Danny. In my opinion, Uno should have been arrested for his reckless behavior. By attacking Danny, I learned that Uno is immature and lacks self-control. Danny did not deserve to visit the emergency room and receive five stitches under his left eye and ten in the back of his head. To make matters worse, Danny "had to talk to cops and fill out paperwork and look his uncle Tommy and uncle Ray dead in the eye and lie" (Pena 40). Put yourself in Danny's position. What would you have done? Would you have lied to your family about the incident, or would you tell them what really happened?

         After Sofia introduces Danny to her friends, Danny shyly smiles and "digs his fingernails into the skin until a sharp pain floods his mind, makes him real" (Pena 3). I can relate to Danny's unusual behavior because Kate, a friend of mine, also sinks her fingernails into her wrists to cope with anxiety, nervousness and panic. She can't survive without digging her nails into her skin because it helps her concentrate and feel more alert. Similar to Danny, she has cuts and scratch marks all over her arms. With support of some of her friends, she is sinking her nails into her skin less often, but I know that it will take a while for her to fully end her peculiar habit. Do you have any friends that behave like Danny and Kate? How do you cope with anxiety and nervousness?

            I'm having trouble understanding how Danny was able to throw a baseball ninety-two miles per hour while he was completely drunk. Shortly before stunning Sofia's friends and other on-lookers with his amazing pitch at the carnival, Danny had continuously drank "jungle juice", which contains alcohol. Danny consumed so much juice such that his "stomach felt bloated and his head felt numb" (Pena 72). When Sofia checks on Danny, she states, "Your drunk as hell...I think I better cut you off" (Pena 72). These two quotes make it hard for me to understand how Danny was able to fire a ninety-two mph fastball. When a person is drunk, like Danny, they usually lose coordination and cannot perform at a high athletic level. How do you think Danny was able to throw a baseball so fast, even though he was drunk? Do you think that Danny can pitch a baseball faster that ninety-two mph when he is sober? Is it possible that the author is just trying to prove how easily Danny can throw fastballs?

          I don't know about you, but I feel sympathy for Danny because he never feels accepted anywhere because his skin color is different from the people around him in life. Since Danny's half-Mexican and brown, "he is a shade darker than all the white kids at his private high school and pale compared to his Mexican family in National City" (Pena 2). I wonder how difficult it would be to live life without feeling like you belong with a certain group of people or friends. What would you do if you were half-Mexican? Would you still have the same friends you have today?

         I think I'm starting to better understand the feeling of loneliness and isolation that many Mexicans that live in the U.S. experience on a day-to day basis in life. When Danny went to his private high school, "nobody paid him any attention because he was Mexican...nobody even saw him as a real person" (Pena 16-17). I believe that this practice of discrimination needs to end immediately because of the harmful effects on victims like Danny. Since Danny is treated so harshly at school, he decided to speak as little as he can in life. Do you know anybody at your school that is treated like Danny?

         In my opinion, Danny is reminiscent of Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Both characters are isolated from society based on prejudice. Boo remains inside his house at all times because most citizens in Maycomb view him as an ill-minded man that dines on squirrels based on inaccurate rumors they have heard. Danny is ignored by his white peers at his private high school just because he is brown and Mexican. Also, both characters are very shy and talk as little as they can. Danny and Boo have trouble fitting in with others in society, so they often feel neglected and unwanted. Can you name any characters that remind you of Danny?

         These first chapters of the book helped me clearly understand that culture shapes your identity. Danny's family and the kids in National City speak with a dialect that is authentic to Mexican Americans. I enjoy how Pena weaves Spanish phrases with English dialogue to display how culture has a direct impact on their vernacular. For example, Sofia claims to her friends, "Que putas. Leave me cuz alone already. He just got here today" (Pena 2). Instead of calling her friends "whores" in English, she playfully teases her friends in Spanish. I have some Mexican American friends from school, but I have never been exposed to a genuine Mexican lifestyle, so I am thankful that Pena has given me the true perspective of a Mexican American teenager. Do you have any friends that are Mexican American?

       When I first looked at the cover of this book, I thought this would be a boring, unrealistic story a Mexican boy living in America. It's a good thing that what I believed was not true. I keep forgetting that you can't judge a book by its cover. The first few chapters of the book really caught my attention and made me want to keep reading. Hopefully, Danny will be able to discover his true identity in life and take advantage of his exceptional baseball talent. Don't worry, I'll remember to write to you again after I have finished my next reading assignment.

Sincerely,
                Ankit Kotwal