Sofia comes from a family of storytellers. Here are her tales of growing up in the barrio in McAllen, Texas, full of the magic and mystery of famil...
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Nov 11, 2007
Liz Nichols
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Tequila Worm is intriguing. It opened a door for me, a non-Latino, into a world that is complicated and unfamiliar to me. Especially touching were the cafeteria scenes. Ms. Canales does a great job illustrating the complex nature of interpersonal/inter-racial relationships and finding a safe place for ourselves in the world. We just all want to belong right where we are; sometimes that is really, really hard! I was especially lucky to meet this author when she came to talk to the students a
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Feb 02, 2009
Elizabeth
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The Tequila Worm by Victoria Canales, is a coming-of-age story set in the Mexican barrios of Texas’s Rio Grande Valley, sometime in the early 1960’s. The main character, Sofia, tries to find a way follow her dreams without losing her family connections. When Sofia wins a scholarship to an elite, mostly white prep school, her godmother is assigned to teach her to be a “long distance comadre” (or confidant) to her mother, cousin, sister and extended family. Sofia finds out that storytelling comes
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Jan 13, 2011
Katy
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This book was an interesting look at the family, cultural and spiritual lives of Mexican and Mexican-Americans. Overall, the Mexican side of the story felt authentic, but the scenes at the "all-white rich prep school" rang a little hollow. Mostly, this book would have been better if it had been a little longer, allowing Ms. Canales to flesh out the characters and events of the book more deeply. This would be an interesting literature circle selection for a theme study on the Hispan
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Jul 02, 2010
Christine
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Sofia is a Mexican-American living in a small town in Texas. Her family is very religious and also very close. Praying, cooking, storytelling, and healing sickness that no ordinary doctor could cure, are just a few of the things that she encounters every day. But, Sofia has dreams of going to college and making enough money to build her Mama and Papa a warm house that won’t fall apart. Incredibly, Sofia wins a scholarship to a boarding school hundreds of miles away from home. Now, she must manag
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Jan 11, 2010
Ruhama
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Winner of the Pura Belpre award.
Sofia loves her family (except when her best friend/cousin drives her crazy), living in the barrio (except when there’s nothing to do) and life in general (except when the kids at school tease her for being Mexican). Everything comes to a head, though, when Sofia is offered a scholarship to a fancy school in Austin (Texas), which is about three hours from home. She really would like to go, but must convince her family that she is ready for this and w More...
Sofia loves her family (except when her best friend/cousin drives her crazy), living in the barrio (except when there’s nothing to do) and life in general (except when the kids at school tease her for being Mexican). Everything comes to a head, though, when Sofia is offered a scholarship to a fancy school in Austin (Texas), which is about three hours from home. She really would like to go, but must convince her family that she is ready for this and w More...
Aug 02, 2009
Chuck
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An absolutely splendid novel, especially for anyone from Texas, especially for anyone near the border. Sofia is a young girl who dreams of life beyond "The Valley," what South Texas Residents call The Rio Grande Valley. Most people she knows can't comprehend why anyone would want to move away from the valley, away from family, and away from what she knows.
The story is about Sofia learning to be a comadre, about learning to be part of the network of closeknit group of fami More...
The story is about Sofia learning to be a comadre, about learning to be part of the network of closeknit group of fami More...
Apr 07, 2009
Danielle
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The Tequila Worm
Viola Canales
Wendy Lamb Books
2005
$7.99
199 pgs
Family, Self Discovery
978-0375-84089-0
This touching book tells the story of Sofia and her life in a Mexican barrio. The novel explains Sofia’s journey of becoming a “comadre” within her community while also diving into the deep-rooted traditions of Mexican culture. As the novel progresses, readers are introduced to the numerous members of Sofia’s family, all of which impact her d More...
Viola Canales
Wendy Lamb Books
2005
$7.99
199 pgs
Family, Self Discovery
978-0375-84089-0
This touching book tells the story of Sofia and her life in a Mexican barrio. The novel explains Sofia’s journey of becoming a “comadre” within her community while also diving into the deep-rooted traditions of Mexican culture. As the novel progresses, readers are introduced to the numerous members of Sofia’s family, all of which impact her d More...
Feb 21, 2010
Nic
rated it:
I enjoyed a lot about this book. It was well-written, with neat characters and fascinating descriptions of Mexican American traditions. I liked that it showed people who reacted so positively toward Sofia and her culture, like Coach Clarke and Brooke.
The only big thing I didn’t much like was the death of Sofia’s father. Partly, this is because I feel that, in contemporary books with protagonists from minority/underrepresented groups, family members and friends have an alarming mor More...
The only big thing I didn’t much like was the death of Sofia’s father. Partly, this is because I feel that, in contemporary books with protagonists from minority/underrepresented groups, family members and friends have an alarming mor More...
Jul 18, 2010
S10_Helena
rated it:
Genre: fiction
Format: traditional literature text
Age level: upper middle school
This bulk of the book is written in the voice of 14 year old Sofia; however, we get to know her from childhood to adulthood. Sofia talks about her life growing up in McAllen, Texas in a traditional Mexican-American household. Her family is close-knit and one of the main themes of the book is becoming a “comadre” or “someone who makes people into a family.”
This idea is tested More...
Format: traditional literature text
Age level: upper middle school
This bulk of the book is written in the voice of 14 year old Sofia; however, we get to know her from childhood to adulthood. Sofia talks about her life growing up in McAllen, Texas in a traditional Mexican-American household. Her family is close-knit and one of the main themes of the book is becoming a “comadre” or “someone who makes people into a family.”
This idea is tested More...
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Apr 05, 2010
Heidi
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Sofia comes from a family of storytellers. Here are her tales of growing up in the barrio, full of the magic and mystery of family traditions: making Easter cascarones, celebrating el Dia de los Muertos, preparing for quincea–era, rejoicing in the Christmas nacimiento, and curing homesickness by eating the tequila worm. When Sofia is singled out to receive a scholarship to an elite boarding school, she longs to explore life beyond the barrio, even though it means leaving her family to navigate a
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May 01, 2010
Brooke
rated it:
Summary:
From School Library Journal
"Sofia, 14, lives in McAllen, TX. What she lacks in material possessions, she makes up for in personality and intelligence. When she is called a taco head by a student at her school, she decides to kick that girl by getting better grades and being a better soccer player than her tormentor. As a result of this determination, Sofia is offered a scholarship to the elite Saint Lukes school in Austin. Now she must convince her family and herself tha More...
From School Library Journal
"Sofia, 14, lives in McAllen, TX. What she lacks in material possessions, she makes up for in personality and intelligence. When she is called a taco head by a student at her school, she decides to kick that girl by getting better grades and being a better soccer player than her tormentor. As a result of this determination, Sofia is offered a scholarship to the elite Saint Lukes school in Austin. Now she must convince her family and herself tha More...
Apr 28, 2010
Mallori
rated it:
Summary: Sofia shares her life of growing up in the barrio of McAllen, Texas. The center of her life revolves around her extended family and the girls who will become her comadres. But Sofia wins a scholarship to a boarding school hundreds of miles away from her family and friends. She decided to go, but stays tied closely to her family and friends.
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Genre: Chapter Book
Uses: Independent Reading, Read-Aloud, Shared Reading
Soci More...
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Genre: Chapter Book
Uses: Independent Reading, Read-Aloud, Shared Reading
Soci More...
Apr 29, 2010
Andrew
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Summary: From an early age, Sofia has watched the comadres in her close-knit barrio community, in a small Texas town, and she dreams of becoming "someone who makes people into a family," as the comadres do. The secret, her young self observes, seems to lie in telling stories and "being brave enough to eat a whole tequila worm." In this warm, entertaining debut novel, Canales follows Sofia from early childhood through her teen years, when she receives a scholarship to attend a
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Apr 19, 2010
Sofia comes from a family of storytellers. Here are her tales of growing up in the barrio, full of the magic and mystery of family traditions: making Easter cascarones, celebrating el Dia de los Muertos, preparing for quincea–era, rejoicing in the Christmas nacimiento, and curing homesickness by eating the tequila worm. When Sofia is singled out to receive a scholarship to an elite boarding school, she longs to explore life beyond the barrio, even though it means leaving her family to navigate a
More...
Dec 27, 2009
Tahleen
rated it:
This is the coming-of-age story of a young Mexican American girl in Texas. She has a rich and full family life in her barrio, but when she gets the chance to go to a private boarding school on a scholarship in Austin, 350 miles away from home, she must decide if it's truly what she wants, and if she is up to the task of keeping her connection with her family and comadres back home.
I really loved Canales' language--plus I really enjoyed the cultural aspect. I'm very interested in Mexi More...
I really loved Canales' language--plus I really enjoyed the cultural aspect. I'm very interested in Mexi More...
Mar 04, 2010
Maggie
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jun 11, 2011
Q_Donna
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This is a good story....I didn't find it great about life in a Mexican family. The story is told by Sofia, who comes from a family of storytellers. She tells the story of her life in the barrio of McAllen, Texas. I did like learning about the Mexican culture, especially the significance of eating the tequila worm. Don't agree with children drinking but the Mexican culture does not look at eating the tequila worm from the bottom of a bottle of tequila as drinking. It is a sign of maturity an
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Sep 10, 2008
Dana
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Loved it. Gave it to my daughter. Want to fill her bookshelves with strong young women characters.
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Nov 07, 2010
Jennifer
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Pura Belpre Award
This 2006 Pura Belpre Award winner is about a young, teenage Hispanic girl growing up in McAllen, Texas. After Sofia is made fun of by another girl at her school, she decides to get even. But she does it in a way that is above the immaturity of the bully. Sofia decides to get better grades and be a better soccer player than the girl who made fun of her. Because of Sofia's determination, she is offered a scholarship to a great school in Austin, Texas.
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This 2006 Pura Belpre Award winner is about a young, teenage Hispanic girl growing up in McAllen, Texas. After Sofia is made fun of by another girl at her school, she decides to get even. But she does it in a way that is above the immaturity of the bully. Sofia decides to get better grades and be a better soccer player than the girl who made fun of her. Because of Sofia's determination, she is offered a scholarship to a great school in Austin, Texas.
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May 10, 2010
Mariah
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This is an excellent, humorous autobiographical account of a young Latina's rise from the barrio to a prestigious prep school. It is about sacrifice, friendship, race relations, first-generation college bound youth, about "fighting" someone by doing better than them academically, and ultimately about giving back to your barrio once you have "made it." Canales, by the way, has made it... this gal from the border is a successful lawyer in addition to being a writer who can in
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Oct 23, 2009
Rachel
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I really enjoyed this 2006 Pura Belpre award winner for my YA class. It was a really good book and I believe semi-autobiographical about the author (similiar to Sherman Alexie's "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian"). Sofia lives in the barrio in McAllen, TX, though I can't quite figure out the year, with her extended family. They are a close-knit group and do everything together. Her best friend is her cousin Berta. The story starts out when they are little kids and contin
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Nov 23, 2011
Keely
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I loved the setting of this book. Since my daughter lives in the Valley, Tequilla Worm gives a glimpse into the culture of South Texas. The Stories that Dona Clara brings help solidify the family connnectedness and culture of Sofia's family, reminding the reader of how important family stories are to our culture and challenging Sofia to learn the stories so that she too could become a comadre. Thefamily love and Sofia's struggle to make more of herself show determination and how difficult it
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Nov 20, 2009
(NS) Maria
rated it:
Pure Belpre Award
From Booklist
*Starred Review* Gr. 6-9. From an early age, Sofia has watched the comadres in her close-knit barrio community, in a small Texas town, and she dreams of becoming "someone who makes people into a family," as the comadres do. The secret, her young self observes, seems to lie in telling stories and "being brave enough to eat a whole tequila worm." In this warm, entertaining debut novel, Canales follows Sofia from early childhood th More...
From Booklist
*Starred Review* Gr. 6-9. From an early age, Sofia has watched the comadres in her close-knit barrio community, in a small Texas town, and she dreams of becoming "someone who makes people into a family," as the comadres do. The secret, her young self observes, seems to lie in telling stories and "being brave enough to eat a whole tequila worm." In this warm, entertaining debut novel, Canales follows Sofia from early childhood th More...
Jan 27, 2010
Jaclin
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I didn’t love this book. I thought it was forced and somewhat unbelievable. The cultural elements weren’t always naturally placed in the story – the quinceañera and the beans, in particular, but even the cultural elements I didn’t know about (the eggs) weren’t naturally woven either. I didn’t like the few elements where it was assumed because people were rich they were white and therefore got better things – (1) boarding school kids and Ivy league schools; (2) doctor taking care of Sofia’s dad.
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Jun 09, 2009
Laura
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I have a feeling that this book is actually, more or less, Canales' autobiography. This makes me very reluctant to criticize it. Furthermore, it's a great story. However, the writing felt very superficial to me. The story was sweet and tender, but it felt like every plot change, every wise word spoken at exactly the right moment by a parent, every cultural occurrence was too neatly arranged. I wanted more characterization and more depth. That said, this is probably a great book for reluctan
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Apr 07, 2009
Aris
rated it:
I enjoyed Viola Canales' book, The Tequila Worm. The story is about Sophia who grew up in McAllen, Texas. She has a close family. I learned lots about the Mexican-American culture reading this book. Sophia is given the opportunity to go to a private boarding school here in Austin, which must be St. Stephens. The opportunity is great for her and she learns to deal with living a part from her family. Sophia learns to accept death and understands the role of death in the Mexican- American culture
Sep 17, 2011
Alice
rated it:
6. Personal Response: I love the interactions between Sofia and her boarding school classmates. It reminds me of the first time my husband saw the home where I grew up and was freaked out by all of the religious pictures and statues. [return]7. Connections: I’ve actually used this before in my 4th/5th/6th classroom. I read aloud certain chapters, and my students discuss how it connects to their lives. Most of my students are Mexican-American.
May 04, 2011
Kathy
rated it:
An interesting chronicling of the author's own life from a Mexican-American point-of-view with very informative cultural representations and explanations through the main character Sofia's experiences. Though it is set up to be realistic fiction, based on the author's own life, it is clear that the novel has a decided auto-biographical slant.
The chapters tend to stand out as their own little vignettes, some of which can be read as short stories.
The chapters tend to stand out as their own little vignettes, some of which can be read as short stories.
Sep 09, 2011
The author’s initial descriptions of the characters in the barrio made me laugh and kept me amused. I enjoyed this author’s writing style and will probably follow more books that she writes. The character “Dona Clara” is a hilarious character and she is the one that likes to eat the worm out of the Mescal bottles. I would recommend this book to teens and anyone else wanting a good easy read!
Jan 27, 2009
Mary
rated it:
My daughters and I read this right before we went to Mexico and then discussed it there which made the book very pertinent as it contained a lot of Mexican culture and also my son was serving an LDS mission in California spanish speaking so it made me understand more the people he was teaching. I highly recommend it and think it was very insightful and a good book to discuss together.
