Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The First Rule of Punk
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
46 posts | 38 read | 40 to read
From debut author and longtime zine-maker Celia C. P?rez, 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 Mal? (Mar?a 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 Mal? 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, Mal? 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 throughout make The First Rule of Punk a perfect pick for fans of books like Roller Girl and online magazines like Rookie.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
Zoe-h
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image
Panpan

I have so many thoughts about this book. The first thing I noticed was that in a public middle school in literal Chicago, the kids got dress coded for wearing makeup, having any holes in their jeans, and for having “non natural” colored hair. Nothing in the plot was not reliant on having the book set in Chicago specifically so it would have been really easy for the author to just migrate it like an hour out of the city. After the little dress ⬇️

Zoe-h code thing I thought “oh ok it‘s a dress code rebellion book.”Nope. It was never again addressed that the dress code sucked; nobody rebelled. What they did rebel against though was the talent show even though the principal had every right to cut them. They did audition first, after all. And to top it all off, the only character development was from the mother. 2.75⭐️ 2y
12 likes1 comment
blurb
COMICS XD
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

About The First Rule of Punk
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. ... 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.

2 likes1 stack add
review
mandarchy
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Pérez
post image
Pickpick

This wall of wonder is full of gems donated to my library - my favorite here is the First Rule of Punk. I like to ask my dot to play the artists referenced in a book... and I like punk, so there's that.

blurb
juliegumdrop
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

National Hispanic Heritage Month in the US is Sept 15 - Oct 15, so I‘m reading this adorable middle grade. This book features a 7th grade Mexican American girl adjusting to a new school. Super cute!

blurb
Holliesplaining
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

I needed a break from murder. This book is excellent.

Also, I couldn‘t figure out how to unfollow people so I blocked them, but listen— fuck transphobes! Fuck JK Rowling! Trans women are women and trans men are men and trans rights are human rights. If you disagree, go away and eat bees.

2 likes1 stack add
quote
TheBookHippie
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

#middlegrade

I‘ve read all of these and can attest that they are good!

megnews I really liked the Stars Beneath our Feet. Tight is on my tbr. 4y
61 likes1 comment
blurb
alisiakae
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

It is 🥶 this morning! We haven‘t turned the heat on yet, so I made some special drinks to warm us up! PSL for me, hot cocoa for Maya, both drizzled with caramel syrup. 😋 ☕️ 📖

I barely had time to snap a pic before the cocoa was whisked away. 😝 We‘re reading:

Me: Turn of the Key
Maya: Tagged 📖

My hygge mug was a gift in my first Litsy swap from @TrishB and it is still a favorite! 😍

MicheleinPhilly I turned it on for the first time this morning. I was pretty pleased that we had about a month‘s respite b/w AC and heat. Good enough for me! Click! 4y
alisiakae @MicheleinPhilly It‘s only been about 2 weeks since we turned off the A/C, so I‘m trying to hold out as long as possible! 4y
Jee_HookedOnBookz Love the mug! 4y
See All 6 Comments
TrishB Winters coming with that mug 😁 we‘ve had heating in and off for about 3 weeks! It was 26 in China for me this week, so I‘ve felt it coming back to 8! 4y
DGRachel After two years of heating the house with space heaters, we are not freezing in this house. Furnace has been on most of the morning! 4y
tracey38 Yes, we definitely seemed to have gone from summer- 80 degrees on Halloween, to winter low in the 30s starting Nov 1st! Brrrr. 4y
94 likes6 comments
review
monalyisha
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image
Pickpick

I *loved* this middle-grade novel about a biracial girl, Malú, who moves to a new city with her mother (whom she calls the “SuperMexican”). Kids will get a crash course in punk rock, Spanish 101, & zine-making. And they‘ll learn valuable lessons along the way, such as “turning an insult into something you embrace is a good way to empower yourself” & “Day of the Dead isn‘t just Mexican Halloween.” ??

monalyisha 1/1: I love that the characters break stereotypes — from Malu‘s divorced parents who are friends & successful co-parents, all the way down to a (male!) Librarian who helps Malú & her band break some rules & make some NOISE! Not only was I charmed, as a former teenaged Rancid fan & current (significantly less punky) adult, but I think kids‘ll be charmed, too. ??? (edited) 4y
75 likes5 stack adds1 comment
quote
monalyisha
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

“Been working on a story.”
“What‘s it about?”
“A family of Mexican vampires,” he said, and hissed. “They gotta figure out how to keep a tan and avoid the sun at the same time. But it‘s, like, the 1800‘s, so there are no tanning beds...”
“Like I said before, you‘re weird,” I replied.”

100% would read. 😅🧛🏻‍♂️🧛🏻‍♀️📖
btw, we started watching “What We Do in the Shadows.” Thanks for all of your #spookymovierecs!

EKonrad I love that show!! 4y
Kimberlone Loved the movie and loved the show! Can‘t wait for season 2 4y
Sace This was a cute book. 4y
61 likes3 comments
quote
monalyisha
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

“She was always paranoid that I‘d break a bone if I so much as looked at my skateboard. Or, maybe even worse, fall and show my underwear to the world.”

#currentlyreading “The First Rule of Punk” in preparation of my next grad school assignment. It was an Honor book for the Pure Belpré Award in 2018.

Librariana I'm currently VERY slowly reading (and savoring!) They Call Me Güero which was also a Pura Belpré Honor recipient. The First Rule of Punk is on my TBR 😁 Are you enrolled in a Juvenile Lit course?? 4y
monalyisha @Librariana I am! I thought about reading that one but opted for other choices. Maybe I‘ll add it to my list! 4y
52 likes2 comments
quote
Niaaelizz
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez

“Mom says my music is a racket, but to me it‘s like the theme music to my life.”

blurb
Niaaelizz
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez

This book is adorable! This would be a great book to start off the school year!

review
Niaaelizz
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
Pickpick

The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Perez, 2017. Pura Belpré Award Winning Book. I really enjoyed this novel. The story really exemplifies the idea of being ones self! I enjoyed how their were pictures at the end of each chapter as well. The first day of school can be tough and this book really relates to all children in that aspect!

blurb
quietjenn
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

Such a week. Hoping to do very little today and tomorrow!

41 likes2 stack adds
blurb
Eggs
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

Maria Luisa (MaLu) loves punk music, clothes, attitude, and making zines. She and some of her friends are called Coconuts 🥥 (brown outside, white inside) in their Chicago middle school. But that doesn‘t stop MaLu and friends‘ band The Co-Co‘s...

monalyisha Cool fan art! 4y
75 likes3 stack adds1 comment
blurb
TracyReadsBooks
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

So excited to start planning our first author visit of the 2019/2020 school year!!! Celia Pérez is going to stop by & talk about her new MG book Strange Bird: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers which is a story about four friends who form an alternate Scout troop & then adventure ensues. It‘s out September 2nd & this will be a great way to start the school year! The tagged book was her first for young readers & is now going on my TBR stack.

suzisteffen !!!!! 5y
monalyisha Lucky! 4y
22 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
tjwill
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

#bookmail going in my #classroomlibrary! My book buying ban went out with a bang! 😂

JoScho Classroom books don‘t count 6y
tjwill @JoScho Thank you for that! 😁 6y
Daisey @JoScho I like the way you think! I tend to use this reasoning a lot. I don‘t buy many books just for myself (although it has increased with Litsy), but I will buy stacks for my class library. 6y
JoScho @Daisey I am exactly the same way! 6y
72 likes4 comments
blurb
Matilda
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

#riotgrams June 15: maps, legend, or bonus art (awesome MG read filled with the MC‘s zine pages)

blurb
Matilda
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

#riotgrams june 11: naked hardcovers

blurb
mrp27
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

#Juneitselectrifying #talentshowcompetition

What do you do when you and your punk rock band do not make the school talent show because you are too loud and unconventional? Why you have your own alternative talent show!

Cinfhen Cute!!!! 6y
vkois88 Sounds legit to me! 6y
49 likes2 comments
review
BookInMyHands
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image
Pickpick

Malú is moving away from her dad to Chicago with her mom for two years- her “SuperMexican” mom. Malú loves punk and making zines, but she doesn‘t feel “Mexican enough,” struggles to speak español, and she‘s still learning about her culture.

Can Malú make friends so far from home, get her mom to understand her little better, and still be her punk self?
#awardwinner

37/100 #crossculturalstories read

56 likes3 stack adds
blurb
WellReadCatLady
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

Cute middle grade book! Trying to find books my niece would like to read during the summer and also be about Mexican culture since she thinks it‘s a religion despite being half mexican herself. So if you have any recommendations for a 9 year old Latina who is working on reading better please let me know!

emtobiasz Haven‘t read this one yet, but 6y
WellReadCatLady @emtobiasz yess! Thank you. Will def check them out! 6y
10 likes2 stack adds3 comments
review
Chelsibno
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image
Pickpick

I really enjoyed this middle grade novel! Maria Luisa (Malu) isn‘t thrilled to be moving to Chicago with her mother. Her mom just doesn‘t get her artistic, punk lifestyle, & neither do most of her classmates at her new middle school. But when Malu finds out about the school talent show, she decides to form her own punk band. I loved the main character and think she‘s really relatable. The use of zines throughout the novel added a unique quality.

pocketmermaid One of my favorite reads from last year! My ARC didn‘t have a few of the zines finished, so I keep meaning to pick up a finished copy! 6y
43 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
Hoopiefoot
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image
Pickpick

My last book of 2017 is this adorable middle grade book about a girl finding herself through punk. It was so cute!

Edit: Just realized this book came to me through inter-library loan from a tiny rural library. It warms my heart to think of some kid finding it and also loving it ❤️

BookMaven407 ❤️ 6y
61 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
suvata
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image
Pickpick

Cute middle-grade book with an excellent message: Be Yourself

Cathythoughts I heard a good one once : Be Yourself ! Everyone else is taken ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
44 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
kimberly.burke
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

⚡️ Sweet stack of MG spines ⚡️

#weneeddiversebooks #middlegrade

review
KaraDunn
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image
Pickpick

An adorable middle reader about 12 year old Malu, a girl who loves punk rock, zines, and skateboarding, and wishes her mother would stop trying to turn her into a perfect little señorita. This book features so many of my favorite things: Chicago, coffee shops, diverse heroines, and books written by librarians ?

review
brownekr
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image
Pickpick

Last book of September, sneaking in just under the wire, and a TRUE DELIGHT.

blurb
juliemhowe
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

Perfect page for the first day of fall 🍂🍁🎃

review
Bookbeez
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image
Pickpick

Mom, aka SuperMexican, wants Malú to be una señorita and appreciate her roots. Malú wants to be herself, punk rock, which means hold the cilantro and nix the Spanish. A cute coming of age story in which Malú navigates a new school, new city, and what it really means to be herself--roots and all. #middlegrade #library #diversereads ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sace Stacked and purchased. I need to read this. 7y
25 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
katcanwrite
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image
Pickpick

5⭐️! I loved this story about Malú and her quest to be punk. Joe was a great character (and I ADORE Mrs. Hidalgo), and the way that Perez gives each character a complete "self" -- no one feels flat. (I admit to being puzzled / frustrated by the slowness of the audiobook narrator's speaking voice for Malú, but it was nothing a little speeding up couldn't fix)

blurb
Bookbeez
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

My afternoon read today. Super cute, so far. As an adult in my 30s, I enjoy reading YA and middle grade and reminding myself how nice it is to not be in school. Adulting sucks at times, but at least we have wine.

TrishB 😂😂 7y
18 likes1 comment
blurb
Citymouse
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

My first post is also one of my top three middle grade books of the year! Looking forward to selling this delightful book tomorrow.

RaimeyGallant Yes! Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon :) A bunch of us posted Litsy Tips yesterday. Check my post, five down from the top. #LitsyLove 7y
Jess7 Welcome 7y
3 likes3 comments
blurb
Matilda
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

Okay so if like me you enjoy reading MG/kids books --or you know actually have kids-- I love the newsletter The Kids Are All Right: http://link.bookriot.com/view/56a82008e661f06c6e8c3d7e66mfm.6b8/341eb374

Tamra Thanks for posting this book & link - looks great for my kids! 7y
rubyslippersreads ❤️🐰🐱 7y
WarpedSweetness I wish my kids were interested in reading. I try everything to get them interested and they could care less. 7y
See All 6 Comments
Matilda @WarpedSweetness sometimes it just takes that one comic or book they finally connect with but I've also seen it work to not try to get them to read so much as just have books around a lot and be a reader they see reading. 7y
WarpedSweetness @Matilda I used to read to them in the womb, and when they were just babies all the time. My strategy has been to just buy books or borrow from the library that I think they find interesting and hope they'll read them. 7y
43 likes2 stack adds6 comments
blurb
bookloaner
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

Got up early enough to read a little bit and started this! I love this neon bright cover so much and have high hopes for the book. Happy Thursday!

blurb
abbylibrarian
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

Need something lighter after the last book 😰 and this cover seems promising! 😜#24in48
Not gonna make it to 24 hours but will make my personal goal of 20 hours! 5 books read + most of an audiobook (so far!).

pocketmermaid LOVED this one! 7y
20 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
TirzahPrice
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

My Fourth of July TBR is very Team Full Circle Literary! I ❤️ my literary agency!

rachelm That Wild Beauty cover is just 😍 7y
MarticaMustRead 😍... totally agree with @rachelm!! Gorgeous!! 7y
24 likes2 comments
blurb
abbylibrarian
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

Epic #middlegrade #bookmail today!! So excited to pick these up! (Dinosaur is my own!) #penguinpicks

review
Sktrue3
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
Pickpick


The first rule about reading the book The First Rule of Punk is that you will LOVE it. This story has everything: emotion, wit, culture, intelligence, heart and a fantastic soundtrack (make a playlist might be rule 2). I can't wait to see the final artwork in the finished copy because I love Malú's zine so much. I learned a lot from reading this while still being reminded of my own childhood experiences.

blurb
pocketmermaid
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

This was waiting for me when I got into work this morning! I am so excited for this release! #galleybrag

33 likes3 stack adds
blurb
Matilda
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

#Riotgrams June 6: number titles

blurb
Matilda
The First Rule of Punk | Celia C. Perez
post image

#bookmail this looks soooooo good! (August, Viking)

55 likes3 stack adds