A 2018 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book
The First Rule of Punk is a wry and heartfelt exploration of friendship, finding your place, and learning to rock out like no one s watching.
There are no shortcuts to surviving your first day at a new school you can t fix it with duct tape like you would your Chuck Taylors. On Day One, twelve-year-old Malú (María Luisa, if you want to annoy her) inadvertently upsets Posada Middle School s queen bee, violates the school s dress code with her punk rock look, and disappoints her college-professor mom in the process. Her dad, who now lives a thousand miles away, says things will get better as long as she remembers the first rule of punk: be yourself.
The real Malú loves rock music, skateboarding, zines, and Soyrizo (hold the cilantro, please). And when she assembles a group of like-minded misfits at school and starts a band, Malú finally begins to feel at home. She'll do anything to preserve this, which includes standing up to an anti-punk school administration to fight for her right to express herself!
Black and white illustrations and collage art by award-winning author Celia C. Pérez are featured throughout.
"Malú rocks!"
Victoria Jamieson, author and illustrator of the New York Times bestselling and Newbery Honor-winning Roller Girl
The First Rule of Punk is a wry and heartfelt exploration of friendship, finding your place, and learning to rock out like no one s watching.
There are no shortcuts to surviving your first day at a new school you can t fix it with duct tape like you would your Chuck Taylors. On Day One, twelve-year-old Malú (María Luisa, if you want to annoy her) inadvertently upsets Posada Middle School s queen bee, violates the school s dress code with her punk rock look, and disappoints her college-professor mom in the process. Her dad, who now lives a thousand miles away, says things will get better as long as she remembers the first rule of punk: be yourself.
The real Malú loves rock music, skateboarding, zines, and Soyrizo (hold the cilantro, please). And when she assembles a group of like-minded misfits at school and starts a band, Malú finally begins to feel at home. She'll do anything to preserve this, which includes standing up to an anti-punk school administration to fight for her right to express herself!
Black and white illustrations and collage art by award-winning author Celia C. Pérez are featured throughout.
"Malú rocks!"
Victoria Jamieson, author and illustrator of the New York Times bestselling and Newbery Honor-winning Roller Girl
Select awards and accolades for The First Rule of Punk:
A 2018 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book
A 2018 ALSC Notable Children s Book
A 2018 Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children s Book Award Winner
A 2017 ABA Indies Introduce Title
A Kids Indie Next List Pick
An E.B. White Read-Aloud Middle Reader Award finalist
A 2018 Boston Globe-Horn Book Fiction and Poetry Honor Book
An Amelia Bloomer List Book
CCBC Choices 2018
A 2018 Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Publishers Weekly Flying Start
NPR Best Books of 2017
Kirkus Reviews Best Fiction of 2017
School Library Journal Best Books of 2017
"A charming debut about a thoughtful, creative preteen connecting to both halves of her identity."
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Those who enjoy vivacious, plucky heroines... will eagerly embrace Malu."
School Library Journal, starred review
"Pérez s debut is as exuberant as its heroine... A rowdy reminder that people are at their best when they aren t forced into neat, tidy boxes."
Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A voice that is equal parts witty and sharp."
Bustle.com
A 2018 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book
A 2018 ALSC Notable Children s Book
A 2018 Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children s Book Award Winner
A 2017 ABA Indies Introduce Title
A Kids Indie Next List Pick
An E.B. White Read-Aloud Middle Reader Award finalist
A 2018 Boston Globe-Horn Book Fiction and Poetry Honor Book
An Amelia Bloomer List Book
CCBC Choices 2018
A 2018 Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Publishers Weekly Flying Start
NPR Best Books of 2017
Kirkus Reviews Best Fiction of 2017
School Library Journal Best Books of 2017
"A charming debut about a thoughtful, creative preteen connecting to both halves of her identity."
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Those who enjoy vivacious, plucky heroines... will eagerly embrace Malu."
School Library Journal, starred review
"Pérez s debut is as exuberant as its heroine... A rowdy reminder that people are at their best when they aren t forced into neat, tidy boxes."
Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A voice that is equal parts witty and sharp."
Bustle.com