The actual, complete title for this great read is
Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your A**, and since it's about bullying, the objectionable language is used for a reason. The story shows, quite realistically to me, how a young woman, Piddy (Piedad) Sanchez--academically gifted, with great family and friend support--can get caught in a spiral of fear that almost destroys her life. Transferring from her old high school to a new one in Queens without her best friend, she has trouble finding her place in this new, rougher neighborhood. For reasons that are never really clear (and not the impetus for the bullying anyway), Yaqui spreads the word that Piddy better watch out. As in most bullying situations, the imbalance of power causes the once-confident Piddy to doubt herself, to mistrust the adults around her, and to isolate herself from friends. As she tries to deal with the looming threat of a beating, she begins a romantic relationship with a messed up childhood friend from her old neighborhood and starts to learn the truth about her long absent father.
