Canales, Viola. The Tequila Worm. 2005. New York, NY: Wendy Lamb Books ISBN 0-385-74674-1
Critical Analysis
The rich culture and deep sense of tradition and family in The Tequila Worm draw readers in from the first chapter. Mexican American Sofia, the main character, learns many lessons from her family, her barrio and her culture as she works toward her college goals. Known for her "gift of mule-kicking" her way through life, Sofia has always been a little different than girls her age, like her cousin Berta who dreams about her quinceanera and marrying her high school sweetheart. Sofia, on the other hand, is headstrong and would rather spend her time reading and studying than party planning and swooning. It is this dedication that leads her to make one of the most important decisions of her life and makes her a great role model for readers of all ages.
When Sofia is offered a scholarship at a fancy Episcopal school in Austin, she has mixed emotions- excitement about the possibilities it could lead to and fear of leaving her family, barrio and comadres. Sofia's immediate family- her mother, father and younger sister Lucy- are all involved in the decision. The reader gets to experience the strong cultural bonds as Sofia's parents insist that she involve others with "gifts" in the community to help her make the right decision. The methods they use to help her decide seem to Sofia, as well as the modern day young adult reader, as "martian," but it is the integration of old traditions into more modern times that reinforce Sofia's decision and expose the reader to a different lifestyle and people.
Spanish words are incorporated throughout the book and are italicized and often translated within the sentence. Their presence exposes the reader to a new language without overwhelming them with too many new vocabulary words. The integration of Spanish throughout the book also enhances the cultural experience of the novel, helping keep it true-to-life.
Sofia's well-rounded character make the short novel appealing to both boys and girls. She is not overly feminized, but rather likes soccer and studying over boys and lavish parties. She is also not so "tomboyish" that girls who do like those things would not be interested in her. Her comadre relationship with her cousin and sister is something that is something that many girls could easily relate to.The short chapters of The Tequila Worm make it a great read for grade 5 and up.
After Reading Activity
Following reading The Tequila Worm, challenge readers to learn more about their own heritage and culture. Have each reader choose one area of their heritage they would like to know more about. Have them research the culture to find a few of the traditions practiced, five words in the language of the chosen culture and three different typical meals. Then have them share what they have learned. Discuss the traditions that Sofia's family had in the book as well as some of the Spanish words and their meanings and the types of foods they ate.
External Assessment
"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. The momentum slows a bit after Sofias arrival in Austin in contrast to the portion of the book set in McAllen. Still, the story is a good addition to most collections." –Melissa Christy Buron, Epps Island Elementary, Houston, TX, School Library Journal
Winner of the Pura Belpre Award
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