I read the original version of Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina way back in 2013, when the book first came out. The title grabbed my attention, and the story was captivating.
The Yaqui Delgado graphic novel version is also excellent, and I’m so happy to see Piddy’s story revived 10 years post-publication. This is a story that needs to be told. It is just as relevant in 2023 as it was in 2013.
Looking for a review of the original book? Read my Librarian’s Perspective review of the original here.
AUTHOR: Meg Medina
ILLUSTRATOR: Mel Valentine Vargas
SERIES: none
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press
PUBLICATION DATE: September 5, 2023
PAGES: 288
GENRE: realistic fiction, graphic novel
SETTING: New York City, New York, USA
GIVE IT TO: upper-MS, high school
AWARDS AND KUDOS
- none at this time, but this book is only two months old as of this writing
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY
It’s the beginning of sophomore year, and Piedad “Piddy” Sanchez is having a hard time adjusting to her new high school.
Things don’t get any easier when Piddy learns that Yaqui Delgado hates her and wants to kick her ass.
Piddy doesn’t even know who Yaqui is, never mind what she’s done to piss her off. Rumor has it that Yaqui thinks Piddy is stuck-up, shakes her stuff when she walks, and isn’t Latina enough with her white skin, good grades, and no accent. And Yaqui isn’t kidding around, so Piddy better watch her back.
At first, Piddy is more concerned with learning about the father she’s never met, navigating her rocky relationship with her mom, and staying in touch with her best friend, Mitzi. But when the harassment escalates, avoiding Yaqui and her gang takes over Piddy’s life. Is there any way for Piddy to survive without closing herself off from those who care about her–or running away?
THE SHORT VERSION
A must for all high school libraries and recommended for middle school libraries. The content in the graphic novel is a little “tamer” than the novel. I would add it to my middle school library, but I do recommend librarians have a look at the mature content section below before purchasing. No concerns for high school libraries.
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE YAQUI DELGADO GRAPHIC NOVEL
The graphic novel version of Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass follows the original book closely, including some direct quotes from the original. It’s been 10 years since I read the original, but I looked at quotations from the original on Goodreads, and some of them are directly quoted in the graphic novel, too.
One thing I noticed was that the graphic novel content seems a little more tame than the original. I had the original book in my middle school library, but the mature content was probably a little high for Grades 6-7. I think the graphic novel is just fine for Grade 7.
There are two kissing scenes. In one, Piddy has a hickey on her neck the next day. In the other, Piddy and the boy are lying down, and Piddy is shown in her bra.
In an assault scene involving Yaqui and her friends, Piddy’s shirt and bra are torn off, and a viral video ensues. Piddy’s skin is visible, but her breasts are strategically covered in the illustrations. I don’t remember any profanity beyond the word “ass,” which does get used frequently.
I love how realistic this form of bullying is. Yaqui Delgado has absolutely no reason to bully Piddy. Someone suggests Yaqui’s boyfriend may have looked at Piddy the wrong way, and maybe that set Yaqui off. Because Piddy never really knows for sure, the reader does not know, either.
I have worked in both middle and high school libraries, as well as teaching middle school. Bullying can be like this, where there is really no reason at all for it.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE ABOUT THE YAQUI DELGADO GRAPHIC NOVEL
This is a good graphic novel version of the original, but I have to say I prefer the depth of the original.
Some of the side stories get a bit lost in the graphic novel format. The domestic abuse situation at Piddy’s childhood friend Joey’s house is a bigger story in the novel. In the graphic novel, this storyline is covered in just a few pages.
The part with Piddy’s search to find out what happened to her father was also just a small part of the graphic novel. I remembered that part of the original pretty well, so it must have been a bigger story than was portrayed in the graphic novel.
DIVERSITY
Piddy, her mom, and Yaqui Delgado are Latina. Piddy’s father is Dominican. Family friend Lila cues Black. Love interest Joey is white.
ARTWORK/ILLUSTRATIONS
Illustrations are in shades of blue-gray. Facial expressions work well with the text. In included the fight scene where Piddy’s shirt and bra are torn off (first two-page spread). Click on the images to enlarge.
THEMES IN THE YAQUI DELGADO GRAPHIC NOVEL
- bullying, assault, fear, intimidation, domestic abuse, trouble at school, new kid in school, friendship, single mothers, teen conflict with parent
LIBRARIANS WILL WANT TO KNOW
Would adults like this book? YES, but I recommend reading the original book over the graphic novel.
Would I buy this for my high school library? YES, 100% and without reservations. The graphic novel version may spark some interest in the original book.
Would I buy this for my middle school library? YES, but with reservations. I had the original book in my Texas middle school (Grades 6-8). I booktalked it with 8th grade, and it did get checked out. Part of my booktalk was a warning about some mature content.
I never had anyone object to the book at my middle school, but you know your library and community. Check the mature content ratings below and see if it is right for your school. I included one of the assault images above for you to see how Piddy’s breasts are covered.
I do think the graphic novel is a bit tamer than the original book, so if you only get one for middle school, I recommend the graphic novel.
Would I buy this for my elementary school library? NO. This is definitely not an elementary book.
MATURE CONTENT
Booklist recommends Grades 7-10. SLJ recommends Grades 8+. Kirkus recommends Grades 9-12. I agree with Booklist on this one–I think the graphic novel is okay for most 7th graders.
Language: “ass” is in the title and appears frequently in the text; “skank” is written on a school desk; “loser” written on a school locker. I don’t remember any other profanity in the graphic novel.
Sexuality: some kissing; one kiss is horizontal with Piddy’s shirt off (she wears a bra); Piddy gets a hickey from one kissing session
Violence: Yaqui Delgado physically assaults Piddy once in the book. Her shirt and bra are torn off, but her breasts are covered. The fight is videoed and put online. Fear, intimidation, and threats happen frequently. A friend’s mother is assaulted by her husband and hospitalized.
Drugs/Alcohol: none
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