The First Rule of Punk
The First Rule of Punk
by Celia C. Pérez
Ages 9–12
When Malú starts a new school, she channels her love of punk rock and her Mexican American heritage into a zine and a band, defying everyone's expectations of who she should be.
- Author
- Celia C. Pérez
- Age
- Ages 9–12
- Type
- Contemporary, Identity
- Language
- English
- Publisher
- Penguin Random House
- In India
- Available
If you liked this, try
-
Front Desk
by Kelly Yang
Ages 10–12
Ten-year-old Mia Tang manages a motel front desk while her Chinese immigrant parents work and she secretly helps hide undocumented guests. Inspiring, funny, and deeply felt.
Heads-up: Racism & discrimination, Violence
-
Merci Suárez Changes Gears
by Meg Medina
Ages 10–12
Merci navigates a full scholarship at a private school, her first crush, and a grandfather with dementia — all while being the only scholarship kid in her friend group. Newbery Medal winner.
Heads-up: Teen crushes & romance, Serious illness
-
Amal Unbound
by Aisha Saeed
Ages 10–13
Amal dreams of becoming a teacher in rural Pakistan until one confrontation with a powerful landlord upends her family's future. A quietly gripping story about courage and speaking up.
Heads-up: Exploitation & child labour
-
The Grand Plan to Fix Everything
Ages 10–12Indian author
Dini's family moves from Maryland to India for a year. She's devastated — until she discovers her Bollywood idol lives nearby. A warm, funny story about belonging and unexpected happiness.
-
Esperanza (Norma / Scholastic edition)
Ages 10–12
Esperanza Ortega's privileged Mexican childhood is destroyed overnight — she must reinvent herself as a farmworker in Depression-era California. Widely taught across Latin America.
Heads-up: Death & grief, Violence
-
New Kid
by Jerry Craft
Ages 8–9
Jordan Banks is a Black kid from Washington Heights who wins a scholarship to a fancy private school — and has to navigate two very different worlds. Newbery Medal winner. Honest and funny.
Heads-up: Racism & discrimination
