THE FIRST RULE OF PUNK — Celia C. Pérez

A classic tale of friendship, identity, and PUNK ROCK!

Listen to my interview with Kelly McEvers on NPR’s All Things Considered!

PRAISE FOR THE FIRST RULE OF PUNK

“It’s all the things.” —Katie, 12-years-old

"This book is like food! We need it!" —New York 5th Grader

"A rowdy reminder that people are at their best when they aren’t forced into neat, tidy boxes." —Publishers Weekly (Starred review)

"A charming debut about a thoughtful, creative preteen connecting to both halves of her identity." —Kirkus Reviews (Starred review)

“Those who enjoy vivacious, plucky heroines… will eagerly embrace Malu.”
—School Library Journal (Starred review)

“Extremely relatable and creatively inspiring, with a voice that is equal parts witty and sharp.”—Bustle

"In The First Rule of Punk, Celia C. Pérez brings us Malú, a girl whose talents are as diverse as the images and words she snips for her zines. She’s an irrepressible force, one that readers will long remember."—Diana López, author of Confetti Girl and Nothing Up My Sleeve

“This tour-de-force debut will have you smiling, singing, and cheering for Malu as she explores her family history, culture, and community and comes to better understand herself. A must-have middle-grade book.” —Cecilia Cackley, East City Bookshop, Washington, DC (Autumn 2017 Kids' Indie Next List)

RECOGNITION

An Autumn 2017 Kids' Indie Next List Selection

A 2017 ABA Indies Introduce Title

A Junior Library Guild Selection

2020 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award Master List

2019 Texas Lone Star Reading List

2019 Illinois Reads Selection - Grades 6-8

Great Lakes Great Reads - Children's YA & Middle Grade Winner

Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature Honor Book

2018 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Fiction & Poetry Honor Book

2018 Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award

2018 Pura Belpré Award Author Honor