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“Inspirational, friendship, and punk.”
Reading age
10-12
Genre
Realistic fiction
Publisher
Puffin Books
Publication date
July 17, 2018
My summary of the book
Maria Louisa, or “Malu” as she prefers, must move to Chicago for only 2 years with her mom. Malu misses her father, and everything she knows will be left behind. On the first day of school, she violates the dress code, rivals with a girl named Selena, and disappoints her mother simultaneously. Malu quickly made friends with a boy named Jose. As soon as the fall fiesta comes up, they start a band called the Co-Cos, which includes Malu, Jose, a boy named Benny, and a girl named Ellie. But then their dreams shattered when they learned about not participating in the fiesta. They must find another way to get their band cracking.
My thoughts
The first rule of punk is very inspirational and reminds me of my little kid’s dream of becoming a pop star. I liked the how to make zines instructions at the end (Zines are little magazines with crafts). I learned a little about Hispanic heritage and the Mexican punk scene throughout the story. Overall, a popstarish, funky book.
My rating
About the author
“Celia C. Perez is the award-winning author of The First Rule of Punk, a 2018 Pura Belpre Author Honor Book. Celia is a longtime maker of zines inspired by her love of punk music and writing. Her favorite zine supplies are a long-arm stapler, glue sticks, and watercolor pencils. She’ll never stop picking cilantro out of her food at restaurants, and she owns two sets of worry dolls because you can never have too many. Originally from Miami, Florida, Celia lives in Chicago with her family, working as a community college librarian.” – Book Depository.
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