Twelve-year-old Chula Sanchez isn’t thin, isn’t beautiful, and because she’s Mexican, isn’t popular in her south Texas town...
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reviews
Nov 28, 2008
Prizefighter en Mi Casa is not a book about boxing, in spite of the fact that one of the principal characters is an infamous boxer from Mexico: El Jefe. He comes to stay with Chula, the main character, and her family, who hope that El Jefe can earn enough money through illegal boxing matches to sustain them while paralysis--the result of a car accident--confines Chula's father to a wheelchair.
Although Prizefighter en Mi Casa is full of colourful characters, it's El Jefe who captured More...
Although Prizefighter en Mi Casa is full of colourful characters, it's El Jefe who captured More...
Mar 31, 2011
Ruhama
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Chula's family is struggling to get by, so her father has asked a famous prizefighter to come up from Mexico so they can bet on him and win. The reason they struggle is due to a car accident that left her father paralyzed and Chula with an expanded brain, so she has to be on medication to control seizures. Many people are afraid of El Jefe, but Chula manages to get over her fear and talk with the man, and manages to learn a few things about herself, her friends, her family and what it's like to
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Jul 07, 2010
Amitha
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This book was amazing. Well-written, exciting, scary, heart-warming, and troubling at times. I lived in Houston, TX until I was eight years old so it was interesting to read about someone growing up in Texas under completely different circumstances than mine. I also loved that the main character was Mexican-American, but couldn't speak Spanish (where I'm Indian-American and can't speak much of my mother-tongue, Tamil) so I kind of related to that.
The story is about a young girl named More...
The story is about a young girl named More...
Dec 24, 2011
Jennifer
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Reviewed by Lynn Crow for TeensReadToo.com
PRIZEFIGHTER EN MI CASA is a heartfelt and often heart-wrenching novel about a Mexican-American girl growing up in Texas. Ever since the car accident that left her father paralyzed and unable to work, 12-year-old Chula Sanchez has suffered seizures that make her an even bigger target for teasing in her junior high school than her Mexican heritage did. She has few friends, and her relationship with her parents and older brother has suffered as More...
PRIZEFIGHTER EN MI CASA is a heartfelt and often heart-wrenching novel about a Mexican-American girl growing up in Texas. Ever since the car accident that left her father paralyzed and unable to work, 12-year-old Chula Sanchez has suffered seizures that make her an even bigger target for teasing in her junior high school than her Mexican heritage did. She has few friends, and her relationship with her parents and older brother has suffered as More...
Apr 06, 2011
Wendy
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I actually very much enjoyed this book. At times I was frustrated with the lack of appreciation Chula had for her brother, but then I realized their dynamic -- at school, at home, in general -- was just different than what I'm used to. The ending was, in general, happy (which I appreciate. I can't do sad endings) but with enough negatives that it was realistic.
Sep 26, 2008
Emily
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The book is a good addition to young adult Latino literature. After surviving a car accident with her alcoholic father at the wheel, Chula is suffering from seizures which leave her an outcast at school. Her father is left paralyzed by tha accident and her older brother is entering the local gang scene. With Chula's father unable to wrk, he sends to Mexico for a legendary fighter "El Jefe". The plan is for "El Jefe" to compete in the local illegal fights and earn money for Ch
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Dec 21, 2010
Cassandra
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Charlton-Trujillo is one of those authors who paints with her words. The book almost reads like a movie with it's three-dimensional characters, vivid imagery, and masterful pacing.
Oct 22, 2011
Kandyce
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Chula, a middle schooler, is surrounded by issues, an angry mother, an alcoholic father and a brother who's becoming a gang member. Very thoughtful and well told.
Jun 08, 2010
Sirpa
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Met the author at NCTE a few years ago and was very impressed by this first novel. Great storyline.
Dec 16, 2009
Lisa
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A story of a Latino family hit by the tragic aftermath of a car accident; leaving a father wheelchair bound and a daughter with epileptic seizures. When the father tries to turn the family's fortunes around by organizing a prizefighting boxer from Mexico to a "sure thing" match, more trouble befalls the family and the daughter finds friendship in the most unexpected places.
May 11, 2008
Keri
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I read this book to check it our for our media specialist in my school. I loved it. Couldn't put it down. The blend of Spanish and English felt very authentic and the struggles of the lead character are universal. An excellent book for early teens, for anyone teaching kids from different cultures, for people working on empathy issues.
Sep 12, 2008
Amanda
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This would be better for 6th grade and up. It has a good idea, about a low socioeconomic Mexican American girl trying to overcome racism and other cultural biases, but the plot was weak. It was also fun that there were many spanish phrases in it, so bilingual children might enjoy that.
Nov 01, 2007
Jean
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This is an atmospheric exploration of a family that is slowly falling apart in a small Texas town with racial issues. The characters learn about strength in a variety of ways and some of the lessons may stick with the reader.
Jan 04, 2011
Livia
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A really touching tale that rings true. I blog about some of the characters here. http://blog.liviablackburne.com/2011/01/...
Feb 08, 2008
Jenny
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I read this book because Micky wrote it. I was surprised to find myself so completely engaged in a book written for younf adults.
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