Mexican Whiteboy is a young adult novel set in National City, California. The novel follows the life of Danny Lopez, the 16-year-old protagonist who is half-white and half-Mexican. Matt de la Peña explores Danni's journey, his struggle looking for acceptability, and his challenges as he tries to understand his identity.
The novel begins with Danny arriving at the National City in San Diego. The National City is near the border, with most Hispanic inhabitants. Danny has come to spend time with his father's family. Danny's father is Mexican, and his mother is white. While Danny goes to live with his father's family during the summer, his mother and sister remain in San Francisco. Danny's mother lives with her boyfriend. Danny does not know the whereabouts of his Mexican father, and he believes that by spending time with his father's family during summer, he will reconnect with his roots.
During the first days when Danny lives with his father's family, he feels he is an outsider because he does not fit in with the rest of the members. Danny discovers that his dressing style, accent and language make him an outsider. For instance, Danny is more civilized and westernized in everything he does, while other family members follow their Hispanic culture. Danny feels lost; he fails to understand why his father abandoned him at an early age. Danny also learns that no family member knows where his father is. However, Danny feels comfortable in his big Mexican family because they love and treat him well despite his father's absence.
The narrative shifts to the friendship between Danny and Uno, his former adversary. Danny and Uno are baseball rivals, each claiming to be a champion. Danny is an experienced baseball player, and he thanks his father for instilling confidence in him as a young boy. One day, Uno injures Danny in a fierce fight. Danny is taken to hospital, and his skin is stitched. After several days, Danny recovers, and Uno apologizes. Danny and Uno rekindle their friendship. Uno and Danny have one thing in common: they struggle with an identity crisis. Uno's father is Black, and his mother is white. Complicating matters for Uno, his father divorced his mother and married another wife.
The novel ends with Uno and Danny combining efforts to reunite with their fathers. Uno asks Danny to help him raise funds to travel to his father's new residence in a neighboring state. To raise the needed funds, the boys must play baseball games with rivals and ensure they win most games. After raising enough money, Uno travels to meet his father. Danny discovers that his father is in prison, and he arranges to visit him for the first time.
