Books like Yaqui Delgado Wants To Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina

When a classmate warns Piddy Sanchez that Yaqui Delgado hates her and intends to "kick her ass," Piddy is thrust into a sudden battle against a new bully. Yaqui’s reputation for tearing down classmates—especially those who are perceived as elitist, non‑Latinx, or too polished—puts Piddy in a precarious position. Meanwhile, Piddy struggles to balance challenging honor courses, a weekend job at a neighborhood hair salon, and a deep‑rooted longing to learn about the father she has never met. As Yaqui’s harassment escalates, Piddy’s life becomes dominated by avoidance and anxiety, forcing her to decide whether she can survive this conflict without shutting herself off or running away. The story captures the complexity of middle‑school aggression, the pressures of academic achievement, and the emotional journey of a teenage girl striving to maintain her identity amid relentless bullying.

First publish date: 2013