Module 1: Recent Award Winner

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA:

Canales, Viola. 2005. THE TEQUILA WORM. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN 9780375840890

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

While recounting her younger years, Sofia Casas, the main character and narrator of THE TEQUILA WORM, shares vivid, touching, and often humorous memories of her life growing up as a Hispanic girl living in a barrio community in McAllen, Texas. Some of her memories are warm and lighthearted, while others are painful and upsetting. From memories of fascinating cultural traditions such as creating cascarones (confetti eggs for Easter) with her father and younger sister to memories of being called racial slurs at school, Sofia openly shares with readers all of the things that make her who she is. Sofia’s loving family and close-knit community play a major role in shaping her life, and she longs to find her own place in the community as a comadre (“someone who makes people into a family”) someday. When Sofia is called a “taco head” at school because of the food she brings for lunch every day, she is encouraged by a teacher at her school to get back at the bully by being better than the bully at everything she does. Having been told by the women in her community that she can kick like a mule, Sofia decides to kick the bully at her school by excelling in academics and soccer. This leads Sofia to receive a scholarship to a prestigious, predominately white private school in Austin, and Sofia and her family must decide if this is the right move for her. Sofia decides she is up for the challenge and must convince her family that she can leave the physical space of her community without abandoning the rich culture and loving people that helped shape her life. THE TEQUILA WORM is a touching tale of an endearing character growing up and discovering what it means to truly be a part of a community.

CONNECTIONS:

THE TEQUILA WORM shares a variety of Hispanic cultural traditions. Encourage students to research some of these traditions (origin, significance, etc.) and share their findings.
Invite students to share the role that their culture plays in their lives. How does Sofia’s culture help her make difficult decisions?

Consider Sofia’s point of view. Would you rather leave home to attend the private school or stay in your community and attend your regular school? Write a short diary entry from Sofia’s point of view answering this question.

REVIEWS AND AWARDS:

From BOOKLIST (2005):
“The explanations of cultural traditions never feel too purposeful; they are always rooted in immediate, authentic family emotions, and in Canales’ exuberant storytelling, which, like a good anecdote shared between friends, finds both humor and absurdity in sharply observed, painful situations – from weathering slurs and other blatant harassment to learning what it means to leave her community for a privileged, predominately white school. Readers of all backgrounds will easily connect with Sofia as she grows up, becomes a comadre, and helps rebuild the powerful, affectionate community that raised her.”

From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (2005):
“Canales includes vivid descriptions of life in a Mexican-American community. Her prose is engaging and easy to read, making this novel a good choice for reluctant readers.”

Pura Belpre Award Winner 2006

Notable/Best Books ALA 2006

Wilson’s Junior High School

Wilson’s Senior High School