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‘The First Rule of Punk’ is an awesomely written book for 9-12-year-old kids who find nothing weird in being different from the rest. The book written by Celia C. Pérez, illustrated by Kat Fajardo was originally published on 22nd August 2017.

This book narrates the story of a 12-year-old girl named Malú who loves ‘punk rock’ music and making zines. Although she loves both of her divorced parents, she is closer to her laid-back and musical white father than her strict academic mother. Dad wants Malú to be a punk rock singer one day, whereas Mom wants Malú to be a proper señorita.

Malú’s life takes a turn when she was compelled to accompany her mother from her home in Gainesville, Florida, to Chicago for her two-year appointment at a university, which meant that she had to attend a new school with different students and altogether new teachers. Malú, in the process, was able to befriend the school misfits (one activist white girl and two boys) and enlisted them to form a band to play a punk song at the Fall Fiesta; an event in the school. What song the band played and if they were successful in having the audience dance to their tunes is something one will have to read the book to find out!

‘The First Rule of Punk’ is the first book I have read of Celia C. Pérez, and though reading this book was a whole new experience, fortunately, it turned out to be a good one for me. The fact that Malú is a young señorita and a punk rock lover at the same time, really impresses me, as it helps me to peep into and understand Malú’s personality in the truest way. I also loved the way Malú expresses herself, sometimes musically and at other times by making zines and magazines. The way her emotions sway from laughter to anger, and from anger to melancholy is typical of any middle schooler, one notices around oneself. The book, besides other things, carries a little of the Spanish vocabulary, so one gets a hang of the Spanish language as well. It also gives an insight into the history of Mexican culture…a learning experience there too! Another striking thing about the book was the inclusion of zines that Malú’s character got associated with.

When it comes to appreciation of the book, it deserves full on full.

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