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"The Education of Margot Sanchez" By Lilliam Rivera

“The Education of Margot Sanchez” by Lilliam Rivera is a humbling read about a high school girl and her struggles at home. This text can be extremely relatable for some students. Much of what happens throughout this novel is similar to hardships my friends faced in school. Overall, the book as a whole was okay. The beginning of the novel is boring but eventually picks up at the end. Personally, I wouldn’t incorporate this novel into my classroom because I believe there are more efficient texts for that out there. Also, this book has some hard realities such as sex, drugs, fighting, and addresses several social issues we are having in society today.
Yet, this novel has the potential to be extremely powerful for some select students. Again I can see how some students, especially those from low-socioeconomic areas, could benefit from a novel like this. Margot is constantly battling the expectations put on her by being a high school student. In today’s education,
we still have students who face problems like those presented in the book. Assigning a read like this could be powerful in a sense by making students feel as though they aren’t alone. Rivera, being a younger author, writes from a younger perspective, which also is beneficial for students. They can see how it is possible to write as a young author and be successful.

Additionally, the book was extremely predictable and showed just how Margot Sanchez was spoiled. Though later through the book you realize that Margot has no control of the terrible realities presented in her life. She finds out her dad cheats, brother is on drugs, the guy she likes isn’t the one, and who her friends really are. It is important for students to realize the hardships others go through in life for many reasons. It shows students life might not be as bad as they think and provides a route for students to relate to their peers who might be enduring the same challenges. This book has forever humbled me and my character. It shows me that some of my students will be experiencing hardships and that I need to prepare myself to witness them. 

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