3/25/13 Mexican White Boy Pages 225-247
Dear Mr. Matt de la
Peña,
After completing your novel, Mexican White Boy, I want to say this book is amazing. I love how you
incorporate various sides of the characters, from rough and tough city folk to sweet
family members and friends. The way that you show character growth throughout
the novel enhances the plot. I also enjoy how you carry over events, fears,
memories, and opinions, because everything ties in at the end, which in my
opinion creates an interesting book. Everything that you incorporate causes me
realize that you do have an opinion about Mexican-Americans and their
lifestyles. You want to show that even though the perception of Mexican-Americans
is often negative, they can be extraordinary people who care deeply for their
family and friends. The way in which you write the novel appears to pay tribute
to this nationality, while also showing that they have flaws, just like people
of any nationality do, which is the perfect balance. Is my interpretation
accurate or did you have other purposes?
My favorite event in the novel occurs in the “Last Hustle
of the Summer”. You have Danny face his fear of competing against Kyle
Sorenson, the MLB prospect. This perfectly ties in what Danny is training for,
what he wants to accomplish, what he can do, and how he matures. One of
simplest sentences in the entire novel really catches my eye. When a Leucadia
Prep player asks Danny if he really wants to challenge Kyle, Danny says,
“’Yeah…I do’” (Peña 230). The fact that Danny speaks up for himself shows that he
comes out of his shell and believes in his abilities. Before his summer in
National City, Danny can’t dream of speaking up, let alone having the will to
pitch against Kyle Sorenson. This proves that although it doesn’t always seem
like living in National City is a positive experience, it teaches Danny how to
stand up for himself. I appreciate how you touch on this subject in a simple,
yet meaningful way.
While Danny is pitching to Kyle, you add in some
extraordinary suspense and imagery. I yearn to find out what happens after each
pitch, which keeps me reading. As you describe Danny, as he pitches, I can
visualize, and at some points even feel, the pitch. When you write, “Danny
tunes everything else out… It’s not about him anymore. It’s about something
bigger. His talent. The power of a train rumbling over a bridge. He
concentrates on Uno’s sign. Nods. Breathes in deep. He goes into his windup,
delivers his best fastball of the summer right down the pipe. Right through the
jugular. A knife piercing a Thanksgiving day turkey at his grandma’s house. And
his perfectly delivered baseball screams towards Uno’s waiting mitt, Danny sees
it all as a slow-motion blur of red and white.
Big blob of a hitter at home plate. Shadow of a catcher and nobody in
the stands. As the pitch rips through the warm air Danny is alive. Awake.
Capable. He feels. He’s let go a pitch that’s a sure third strike against
anybody else. But this isn’t anybody else. It’s Kyle Sorenson” (Peña 234). This
incorporates a great deal of imagery, personification, figurative language, and
suspense, which improves the novel significantly. It speaks to me, and helps me
realize that this moment is fantastic for Danny. The fact that I can see
everything he sees in such detail, in the split second it takes the ball to
reach the plate, is amazing. While I read this, I am intrigued with what you
say. Your comparisons make everything completely realistic, and when you add in
the suspense, it takes the phrase over the top. The suspense about if Kyle hits
the ball or not snaps you out of the zone you are in, makes you realize what is
really happening, and causes you to read on and find out more. Is this your
intention, or are you trying to make the pitch dramatic because it could
possibly strike the best hitter in the area out? Either way I love it!
I know that most
people have a hard time picturing an event in slow motion, when in real time it
occurs quickly, but I believe one can. Sometimes, when I am playing a sport
that is moving quickly, I just stop and think. All of a sudden everything seems
to slow down. For example, when I go to
a soccer ball, I feel like I have all the time in the world to make my move, as
if I’m in slow motion. How is this possible, may you ask? I honestly don’t know,
but with the focus that Danny has, I can honestly say that seeing every inch of
the ball in slow motion is definitely possible for him.
As Danny pitches to Kyle, he is not alone, which I think
is important. Uno is there for Danny the entire time. He says, “’You foolin’
‘im on every one of them pitches. He barley hangin’ with you…You realize what
that says about you already, D? He the best, right? If you think about it, man,
you already won. This last strike
just be gravy”’ (Peña 235). As Uno says this, he isn’t just trying to encourage
Danny to make him perform well; he is being a true friend because he believes
in Danny. In the beginning of the novel, Uno is a jerk to Danny, but seeing
them together now proves that anything is possible, when it comes to forming
unexpected friendships. Also, as Uno gives Danny a pep talk, he is showing that
he is becoming more mature. At first, Uno is a low life on the street that doesn’t
care what he does, but now that he has friends who he truly cares about and a
father who is attempting to be in his life, he is turning his life around.
Clearly, having a close friend who you can spend time with is essential. It allows
both Danny and Uno to become better people, which is fantastic. Seeing the bond
they establish makes me realize that everyone needs a friend, who they can
count on, because it can change one’s life in the simplest way. The manner, in which you develop the
characters through friendships blossoming over time, is exceptional because it enhances
the book, while teaching the reader a life lesson.
As they finish the hustle at Leucadia Prep, Danny is
defeated, but amidst the struggle Uno makes it double or nothing because he
truly believes in Danny. When they officially lose the hustle, I love the
reactions that you create for Danny and Uno. Kyle hits a home run, but Danny
realizes it’s, “not just a home run. Not just a lost bet or a failed hustle. An
answer” (Peña 238). I believe it symbolizes that no one can beat Kyle Sorenson,
but Danny is the first one who comes really close, so he now has “an answer” to
the question “Am I really a good pitcher?” Is this what you mean?
Even though Danny
seems to be calm after the defeat, he feels like “something died inside of him”
(Peña 239). Soon a fight breaks out with Uno, which seems to frequently happen
after a bet, both in the book and the real world. Instinctively, Danny goes
over to protect Uno, which shows the strength he now encompasses. He punches a
player twice, and at this point he wins, so, “he feels something brand-new
taking its place” (Peña 239). Even though fighting isn’t the way to handle a
situation, I am glad that you incorporate it, because it makes the situation dramatic.
After the fight, Kyle tells Danny that the coach will be calling. This boosts
Danny’s confidence and makes him realize that he is truly a great pitcher. Having
the opportunity to play for Leucadia Prep is what Danny desires, so it pleases
me to see that you write that his dream is coming true.
When Danny and Uno
finally return home, they spend some time with Sofia and Liberty. It is Danny’s
last night in National City with his relatives, which is depressing, but the
events you incorporate make it exciting, as well. Throughout his experience Danny
realizes that he is who he is and nothing can change that, which I believe is a
lesson that everyone needs to learn. Even though it takes a while for Danny to
discover himself, I’m delighted that he does.
Sofia reveals that, “’I talked to Aunt Wendy, Danny’s
mom, and she lettin’ me stay with them for the semester…Aunt Wendy says we
gonna talk about junior schools’” (Peña 242). Sofia is earning an education for
herself, which everyone should do. The fact that Sofia decides to have a higher
level of education, even though no one else in her family has, is
extraordinary. Although she isn’t a major character in the novel, I notice that
you make it so she changes over time as well, which is notable.
Finally, Danny and Liberty, who have been avoiding each
other throughout the novel, actually talk and determine that they will visit each
other. Once again, Danny shows his development in the aspect of his life involving
Liberty. He couldn’t bring himself to speak to Liberty before, but now he steps
out of his shell and has the courage to do so.
The way you write
conclusion of the novel is straightforward, yet emotional. As Danny and Uno go
to the train tracks for the last time, they talk about life and their plans for
the future. As they play their fortune game, “Danny hit five on seeing Liberty
again, Danny hit five on checking out Oxnard someday. Uno only hit two on Manny
moving out of the halfway house. Danny hit five on Sofia going to college. Uno
hit four on getting along with his old man” (Peña 244), meaning that these
wishes should come true based on the outcome of this game.
The boys later decide to stay for the night and watch the
sun rise, as Senior recommends. This decision ties in their experiences with
Senior, at the tracks, and their struggles with each new day. While they sit
and talk, you resolve the entire conflict of the novel. Uno tells Danny, “’This
is on me and you takin’ a little trip tomorrow morning, before your moms comes
down to get you…[to] Metropolitan Correctional Center in San Diego. See your
old man’” (Peña 245). The fact that Uno does this for him shows how much he
cares for Danny and what a close friendship they establish. Danny finally has
the opportunity to see his father, which is all that he desires. Even though he
is nervous, he is happy at the same time, just as anyone would be, so you capture
Danny’s emotions perfectly. Do you know anyone who finally sees a parent after
many years of being apart? Is this what you base Danny’s emotions off of? Or
have you experienced it yourself?
Your conclusion completes the time Uno and Danny spend
together perfectly. You write, “Sitting on the train tracks. With his best
friend. Watching a sunrise” (Peña 247). In my opinion, this symbolizes the
new individuals they have become and the new beginning they are about to experience.
They both have bright futures ahead of them and I hope that they have the chance
to fulfill their dreams. Matt, you didn’t disappoint, so I would just like to
say one last time, this book is an outstanding form of realistic fiction.
Sincerely,
Anne Silveira
P.S. Have you written
any other novel? If so, I would like to read them.
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