Stef Soto, Taco Queen

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2017

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-12

Chapters 13-24

Chapters 25-36

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

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Character Analysis

Stef

Stef (Estefania) Soto is the protagonist and point-of-view character of Stef Soto: Taco Queen. Throughout the novel, Stef struggles to find her place among her classmates while trying to assert independence from her overprotective parents. Her inability to define who she is stems from letting Tía Perla control how she views herself. Stef identifies with how the taco truck influences the views of those around her. Thus, when Julia calls Stef the taco queen, Stef feels like the words “cling to me like a stale smell” (22). Stef tries to distance herself from Tía Perla, but she is unsuccessful because the truck is tied to her culture, heritage, and family. Only when Tía Perla and the livelihood it affords Stef’s family is threatened does Stef finally start to become her own person independent of her feelings about the truck. Remembering how much Tía Perla means to her family and how much Stef’s family means to her gives Stef the courage she needs to stand up for herself, Tía Perla, and the life she knows her family deserves. This in turn allows Stef to become her own person at school, tell the truth about Viviana Vega, and mend her damaged relationship with Julia. Stef’s arc shows that denial keeps her from growing and that acceptance does not mean giving in.

Julia

Julia Sandoval is a secondary antagonist of the novel. Julia and Stef used to be best friends, but when the girls reached seventh grade, Julia developed the self-confidence that Stef struggles to find until the end of the book. This change drove a wedge between the girls that is only healed when Stef accepts who she is, showing that the strife between the girls is triggered by how they view one another. Stef thinks Julia’s life is perfect because she has independence, and Julia envies how close-knit Stef’s family is, especially regarding Tía Perla. In Chapter 32, Julia reveals that her parents are just as overprotective as Stef’s, showing that Julia’s personality throughout most of the book isn’t the entire truth. In truth, Julia is just like Stef and the other kids in their class.

Stef’s Dad

Stef’s dad (Papi) is another secondary antagonist, as well as a role model for Stef. At the beginning of the book, Stef loves her dad, but she holds a grudge against him for being overprotective and for Tía Perla, which Stef feels is an embarrassment. As the story goes on, Stef realizes how comfortable and confident her dad is when cooking in the truck, and he shifts from an antagonist to someone Stef looks up to. As an immigrant to the US from Mexico, Stef’s dad is bilingual (speaking English and Spanish), but his English is not as good as he would like it to be. He often asks Stef for help with important English things, such as his speech for the city council meeting. This both adds to Stef’s inner conflicts and helps her find her way back to her family. Stef feels pressured when her dad asks for help, but she also realizes how much he counts on her better command of the language. Watching her dad face his fears to speak in front of the council makes Stef realize how selfish she’s been about Tía Perla. If her dad can conquer his fears to fight for his livelihood, she can put aside her frustration to support her family, which is exactly what she does.

Amanda

Amanda Garcia is Stef’s best friend. The two girls met playing soccer several years ago, and while they had a rocky beginning to their friendship, they are close now, showing the resilience both girls possess. Where Stef struggles with her identity and independence, Amanda is more comfortable in her skin. She knows her strengths and weaknesses, and she isn’t afraid to play up her skills while letting others take control in areas where she isn’t as strong. Amanda serves as a foil for Stef. Alongside Amanda’s steadiness, Stef’s growth is clear, and the greater level of freedom Amanda gets from her parents is opposite of Stef’s struggle for independence.

Arthur

Arthur Choi is another good friend of Stef’s. Like Amanda, Arthur is comfortable in his skin. Unlike Amanda, Arthur has many qualities that could cause him to be uncertain, such as food allergies. Rather than being ashamed of these things, though, Arthur accepts them as part of who he is. He isn’t embarrassed to want or need specific dietary requirements, and his confidence is what ultimately allows Stef’s dad to have a meal to serve Viviana Vega. Arthur also doesn’t care what other people think of him, a direct contrast to Stef. Where Stef does whatever she thinks is necessary to fit in, Arthur goes his own way, listening to the music he likes, rather than what’s popular, and shrugging it off when people tease him for his choices.