The Tequila Worm

Canales, V. (2005). The Tequila Worm. NY: Wendy Lamb Books/Random House.

The Tequila Worm is about a young girl growing up in a small community also known as a barrio. Sofia has bee immersed in a strongly rooted Mexican American culture where she finds that her biggest dream is to become a strong comadre which refers to a close friend that is proud of her roots and family. Sofia receives a scholarship to a rich school and is now faced with leaving behind all she has ever known to explore a new world of opportunity. As she experiences being away from home she also must experience what it is to eat a tequila worm to get rid of her homesickness, hence the title. While away she discovers the cruelness of racism as she receives harassment from others because of her heritage. In the end, Sofia overcomes the homesickness and embraces the opportunity of a better education, which will also make her dream of becoming a strong comadre a reality. This book hit close to home with me as I too live in the Rio Grande Valley and travel to McAllen regularly. Protagonist, Sofia is a character that many of my students would see themselves in and understand. The author did an excellent job at depicting the Mexican American traditions of which I too have participated in such as superstition, storytelling, Mexican food and quinceaneras. I must admit, the tequila worm myth was new to me. The theme of embracing your heritage is one that educators of minorities could really target. As an educator, I have noticed that some of my students have a low self-esteem and sometimes are even embarrassed to speak in their native language because they feel it means they are “dumb.” It’s sad that these students have received that impression from society and are in danger of loosing their culture. I believe this book can help to inspire a love and pride for their heritage. I would recommend this book to all students grades 6 and up.