Once Upon a Quinceanera: Coming of Age in the USA - Hardcover

Alvarez, Julia

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0670038733 ISBN 13: 9780670038732

Publisher: Viking Adult, 2007

Synopsis

A cultural exploration of the Latina fifteenth birthday celebration traces the experiences of a Queens teen who encounters anticipation and stress while preparing for her quinceañera, in an account that documents the history of the celebration's traditions as well as its growing popularity throughout America.

About this title

About the Author:

Julia Alvarez is the author of five books of fiction, a book of essays, five collections of poetry, and five books for children. She and her husband, Bill Eichner, founded Alta Gracia, a sustainable farm in the Dominican Republic that produces organic coffee and also serves as a literacy center. She is a writer-in-residence at Middlebury College.

From AudioFile:

Alvarezs book originally meant to cover the celebration rituals of a specific 15-year-old Latina. Soon, however, the author found herself remembering her own adolescent experience and looking at how the coming-of-age experience fits into American culture in general. The result is a detailed blend of social science and memoir. While the book focuses on one specific quinceanera--from the dreaming and planning stages of her celebration to the actual event--Alvarez also interviews many other 15-year-old girls, as well as investigates historical precedents for the celebration, its religious aspects, and its cultural offshoots, such as quinceanera entrepreneurs. As Alvarez shifts topics, Daphne Rubin-Vega helps provide much needed continuity. Rubin-Vega easily shifts between English and Spanish, slips in and out of quotes and anecdotes, and smoothly narrates the research and cultural commentary. S.W. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

About this edition

• Publisher: Viking Adult
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0670038733
• ISBN 13: 9780670038732
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 288