The Education of Margot Sanchez - by Lilliam Rivera (Paperback)

About the Book

Margot Sanchez is paying off her debts by working in her family's South Bronx grocery store, but she must make the right choices about her friends, her family, and Moises, the good looking but outspoken boy from the neighborhood.

Book Synopsis

John Hughes's Pretty in Pink comes to the South Bronx in this bold and "emotional story about class, race, hard work, and finding one's place" (Publishers Weekly)--from author Lilliam Rivera.

Things/People Margot Hates:
Mami, for destroying her social life
Papi, for allowing Junior to become a Neanderthal
Junior, for becoming a Neanderthal
The supermarket
Everyone else

After "borrowing" her father's credit card to finance a more stylish wardrobe, Margot Sanchez suddenly finds herself grounded. And by grounded, she means working as an indentured servant in her family's struggling grocery store to pay off her debts.

With each order of deli meat she slices, Margot can feel her carefully cultivated prep school reputation slipping through her fingers, and she's willing to do anything to get out of this punishment. Lie, cheat, and maybe even steal...

Margot's invitation to the ultimate beach party is within reach and she has no intention of letting her family's drama or Moises--the admittedly good looking but outspoken boy from the neighborhood--keep her from her goal.

Review Quotes

"The Education of Margot Sanchez feels as classic as Judy Blume and, at the same time, entirely new. It's a rich, page-turning tale about a teenage girl stuck between a rock and the growing-up place."--Veronica Chambers, author of Mama's Girl and The Go-Between

"The Education of Margot Sanchez shatters the myth of assimilation by exposing the loss and ache that comes with it. Instead, Lilliam Rivera tells the reader that there is nothing more powerful and beautiful than staying true to oneself."--Isabel Quintero, author of Gabi: A Girl in Pieces

"[A] solid entry novel about family, friendships, and culture. [This] will appeal to teen readers who like coming-of-age tales and stories featuring Latinx culture."

-- "VOYA Magazine"

"[A]n emotional story about class, race, hard work, and finding one's place."-- "Publishers Weekly"

"[T]he realistic Latinx characters make this a welcome addition to YA shelves."-- "School Library Journal"

"A debut of great candor, depth, and empathy."-- "Booklist"

"In the hands of debut novelist Lilliam Rivera, Margot's choices -- which friends? which boy? which future? -- take on a tense urgency. Lively and telling, smart and compelling, Margot Sanchez is a character to take to your heart and Rivera a voice to remember."--Karen Joy Fowler, author of The Jane Austen Book Club

"Introducing Lilliam Rivera, one of the most unique and exciting new voices in YA. The Education of Margot Sanchez is funny, poignant, compelling and authentic. She nails the music and conflict of an evolving Bronx, New York. I adore this novel."--Matt de la Peña, author of LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET

"With a passionate voice, Lilliam Rivera weaves a layered, complex story of a girl awakening to herself and her family."--Cecil Castellucci, author of Tin Star

About the Author

Lilliam Rivera is an award-winning writer and author of numerous young adult novels, including The Education of Margot Sanchez, We Light Up the Sky, Never Look Back, and Dealing In Dreams. She is also author of the middle grade Goldie Vance books. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Elle, to name a few. Lilliam lives in Los Angeles. Visit her at LilliamRivera.c