
Reach for this book when your teenager is feeling caught between different worlds, struggling to reconcile their cultural heritage with their American identity or feeling the weight of current events on their personal life. Call Me Iggy follows Ignacio, an Ohio teen navigating a first crush and his family's Colombian roots, all while being humorously haunted by the ghost of his grandfather who offers well meaning but terrible dating advice. Beyond the lighthearted ghost story, the book explores the complex reality of being Latino in America during a shifting political climate. It handles themes of immigration, belonging, and grief with a touch of magical realism that makes heavy topics accessible. It is an excellent choice for 12 to 18 year olds who are starting to look critically at the world around them while still dealing with the universal, messy emotions of high school and family expectations.
Includes teen flirting, crushes, and discussions about dating.
Deals with the grief of losing a grandparent and the anxiety of deportation.
The book deals directly with death (the grandfather's passing), the threat of deportation, and systemic racism. The approach is realistic and secular, grounded in the contemporary American experience. The resolution is hopeful but acknowledges that systemic issues do not have easy fixes.
A middle or high schooler who feels like they are 'not enough' for any one group. It is perfect for a teen who enjoys humor and romance but is starting to engage with social justice issues.
Parents should be aware of scenes depicting the 2016 election and the fear surrounding deportation. Reading the author's note can provide helpful context on the semi-autobiographical elements. A parent might hear their child express frustration over feeling like they don't fully belong, or perhaps they notice their teen feeling anxious about news reports regarding immigration.
Younger teens will focus on the slapstick humor of the ghost and the 'will they, won't they' romance. Older teens will more deeply process the commentary on political polarization and the fragility of the American dream for immigrant families.
Unlike many immigration stories that focus solely on the trauma of the journey, this highlights the everyday life of second generation citizens and the funny and frustrating dynamics of multigenerational families through a supernatural lens. """
Ignacio 'Iggy' Garcia is a teen in Ohio whose life gets complicated when he falls for Marisol, a hardworking student facing the stress of the immigration system. Adding to the chaos is the ghost of Iggy's grandfather, who appears to offer romantic guidance that often backfires. As Iggy pursues Marisol, he is forced to confront the realities of his identity and the political tensions of the 2016 election cycle.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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