McCall, Guadalupe Garcia. 2011. Under the Mesquite. New York: Lee & Low Books, Inc. ISBN 9781600604294

Plot Summary

Under the Mesquite is the story of Mexican-American Lupita, the oldest of eight siblings. While born in Mexico, she has been raised in Eagle Pass, TX. As she enters high school, she finds out her mother has cancer. This comes as a major blow, because she is very close with her Mami. As her mother battles disease, Lupita struggles to find strength—strength to support her mom, strength to take care of her siblings so her Papi is free to help her mom, strength to follow her dreams, despite circumstances. In the end, it is the strength and resilience of the mesquite tree, which has supported her physically, that will support her emotionally and spiritually, showing her that she too can thrive under impossible conditions.

Critical Analysis

Guadalupe Garcia McCall wrote this book in free verse, sprinkling Spanish words in among narrative (there is a glossary of terms in the back for those who don’t speak fluent Spanglish). For me, this mixture of languages is a very appropriate representation of Lupita’s life: family roots in Mexico, but living the American Dream in Texas. Although ambitious, she also is determined to remember where she came from. “Changing how I talk / doesn’t change who I am. / I know where I came from . . . “ (95).

One of the most important values to Lupita is her family. Her mom’s battle with cancer is a testing of Lupita’s strength. Whether she realizes it or not, she is like the mesquite tree. “. . . I envy the mesquite / its undaunted spirit, its ability to turn / even a disabling pruning / into an unexpected opportunity / to veer in a different direction, / flourishing more profusely than before” (141). As the book progresses, Lupita does just that: she takes the pain and uncertainty from looking at her mom suffer, and transforms it into the art of acting.

The use of free verse as opposed to prose in this book makes a lot of sense. The short, 2-3 page poems are so full of emotion and reflection, you really feel as though you are reading Lupita’s journal. You feel like you are looking right into her damaged, fighting heart.

Professional Reviews

2013 Rivera Children's Book Award

2012 Pura Belpre Award

From Kirkus Reviews: “With poignant imagery and well-placed Spanish, the author effectively captures the complex lives of teenagers in many Latino and/or immigrant families. A promising, deeply felt debut.”

From School Library Journal: “This book will appeal to many teens for different reasons, whether they have dealt with the loss of a loved one, aspire to write and act, are growing up Mexican American, or seeking their own identity amid a large family. Bravo to McCall for a beautiful first effort.”

Connections

You might be interested to read McCall's next novel, Summer of the Mariposas (2012)

ISBN 978-1600609008