Olivarez celebrates his family and Mexican-American identity in his hopeful, waggish, and devastating debut collection. He has a critical eye for how Mexicans and Mexican-Americans are observed, labeled, and categorized, writing that -it-s hard for one body to contain two countries,/ the countries go to war & it-s hard to remember you are loved by both/ sides or any sides.- This concept ignites a paralyzing hyperconsciousness that offers a glimpse into the poet-s oftentimes conflicting identities and provides the inventive structure of the eponymous opening poem. -Mexican woman (illegal) and Mexican man (illegal)/ have a Mexican (illegal)-American (citizen)./ is the baby more Mexican or American?- he asks. Olivarez is sharply critical of American media portrayals of Mexican-American culture: -when i watch the news i hear my name, but never see my face. every other commercial is for taco bell.- Olivarez shines when he embraces the flaws and the grandeur of his background. His poem -Gentefication- imagines a neighborhood being reclaimed from gentrifiers and a people-s commune taking its place: -we trade tortillas for haircuts, nopales for healthcare,/ poems for groceries, & if all you can do/ is eat the food, we ask that you wash your dishes.- In the neighborhood of Olivarez-s imagination, -the whole block is alive/ & not for sale.- (Sept.)