Silent Dancing: A Partial Remembrance of a Puerto Rican Childhood - Softcover

Cofer, Judith Ortiz

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1558850155 ISBN 13: 9781558850156

Publisher: Arte Publico Press, 2006

Synopsis

A well-known author's memoir also includes a taste of her poetry.

About this title

From the Publisher:

Recipient of the New York Public Library's 1991 Best Book for the Teen Age,a PEN citation, Martha Albrand Award for non-fiction and Pushcart Price.

Review:

"... for young readers, this is a delightful, thoughtful assessment of bicultural, bilingual life..." -- Booklist

"Judith Ortiz Cofer's talent for story telling was learned at the knee of her grandmother, "Mama." In this entertaining and perceptive book, the author's life unfolds through tales set in Mama's room, in Puerto Rican pueblos, and in Paterson, New Jersey apartments. Her father joins the U.S. Navy, and when his ship is in port in New York City, the family lives in New Jersey; when he is at sea, they move back to Puerto Rico to a life with family and many friends. After Judith starts school, the family spends summers in Puerto Rico and the school year in New Jersey. Life there is very restricted: her father leaves instructions not to mingle with neighbors; he has plans for a better life for his family, certainly one better than the near-poverty conditions of this neighborhood. Judith Cofer's mother takes her husband's words to heart and rarely interacts with her New Jersey acquaintances, leaving Judith to become her mother's voice in dealing with neighbors and shopkeepers while her father is away. Her father, a strong person, takes on much of Judith's responsibility when he is home. This relieves her but also creates confusion about her role in the family. Growing up in two cultures, Judith both identifies with and feels rejected by each. This memoir, comprising essays that can stand alone, also includes some of the author's poems, which further illuminate her experiences and add to our understanding of this child of two worlds. -- For great reviews of books for girls, check out Let's Hear It for the Girls: 375 Great Books for Readers 2-14. --From 500 Great Books by Women, review by Holly Smith

About this edition

• Publisher: Arte Publico Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1558850155
• ISBN 13: 9781558850156
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 158