Overview

Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, a ""phenomenal, indispensable"" (USA Today) exploration of the Latina ""sweet fifteen"" celebration, by the bestselling author of How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents and In the Time of the Butterflies. The quinceanera, a celebration of a Latina girl's fifteenth birthday, has become a uniquely American trend. This lavish party with ball gowns, multi-tiered cakes, limousines, and extravagant meals is often as costly as a prom or a wedding. But many Latina girls feel entitled to this rite of passage, marking a girl's entrance into womanhood, and expect no expense to be spared, even in working-class families. Acclaimed author Julia Alvarez explores the history and cultural significance of the ""quince"" in the United States, and the consequences of treating teens like princesses. Through her observations of a quince in Queens, interviews with other quince girls, and the memories of her own experience as a young immigrant, Alvarez presents a thoughtful and entertaining portrait of a rapidly growing multicultural phenomenon, and passionately emphasizes the importance of celebrating Latina womanhood.

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9780452288300

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Reviews

Phenomenal indispensable. Alvarez s novelistic eye makes Once Upon a Quinceanera an intimate, intoxicating read. San Francisco Chronicle A journey into experiencing a vital, exuberant ritual of modern Latino life As an author, Alvarez is a terrific tour guide. The Seattle Times [Alvarez] brings a critical eye to long-held myths Each page is a love song to the cultural ties that bind generations of women from a diverse group of countries. Chicago Sun-Times Fascinating, exhaustively researched. The Washington Post Alvarez s honest grappling with her caught-between-two-cultures experience is compelling. Entertainment Weekly

aThough [Alvarez] brings a critical eye to long-held mythsa]each page is a love song to the cultural ties that bind generations of women from a diverse group of countries.a<br> a Chicago Sun-Times <br> aFascinating, exhaustively researched.a<br> a The Washington Post <br> aAlvarezas honest grappling with her caught-between-twocultures experience is compelling.a<br> a Entertainment Weekly <br> aA journey into experiencing a vital, exuberant ritual of modern Latino lifea]As an author, Alvarez is a terrific tour guide.a <br>a The Seattle Times <br> aA thorough, thoughtful, and important book. . . .Bravo, Julia Alvarez.a<br> aMary Pipher, author of The Middle of Everywhere and Reviving Ophelia <br> aWith grace and humanity, Alvarez explores the fascinating evolution of the quinceaAera tradition in the United States, responding provocatively to a tradition that charms her and simultaneously clashes with feminist sensibilities.a <br>aCristina Garcia, author of Dreaming in Cuban and A Handbook to Luck <br> aThis is not just a book for Latinas. Once Upon a QuinceaAera is for all of usa]especially for those of us raising daughters in America today.a<br> aMaria Hinosa, Senior Correspondent for NOW/PBS, author of Raising Raul and Crews

?Though [Alvarez] brings a critical eye to long-held myths?each page is a love song to the cultural ties that bind generations of women from a diverse group of countries.?<br> ? Chicago Sun-Times <br> ?Fascinating, exhaustively researched.?<br> ? The Washington Post <br> ?Alvarez's honest grappling with her caught-between-twocultures experience is compelling.?<br> ? Entertainment Weekly <br> ?A journey into experiencing a vital, exuberant ritual of modern Latino life?As an author, Alvarez is a terrific tour guide.? <br>? The Seattle Times <br> ?A thorough, thoughtful, and important book. . . .Bravo, Julia Alvarez.?<br> ?Mary Pipher, author of The Middle of Everywhere and Reviving Ophelia <br> ?With grace and humanity, Alvarez explores the fascinating evolution of the quincea?era tradition in the United States, responding provocatively to a tradition that charms her and simultaneously clashes with feminist sensibilities.? <br>?Cristina Garcia, author of Dreaming in C

Author Information

Julia Alvarez is the author of the novels How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents,In the Time of the Butterflies (a national Book Critics Circle Award finalist), and Yo!. She has also published two poetry collections (Homecoming and The Other side/El Otro Lado) and a collection of essays (Something to Declare). Julia lvarez es la autora de De c mo las chicas Garcia perdieron el acento, En el tiempo de las mariposas (un finalista del National Book Critics Circle Award) y Yo!. Tambien ha publicado dos colecciones de poesia y una colecci n de ensayos. Julia lvarez vive en Vermont y en Repoblica Dominicana, donde dirige una cooperativa de cafe organico, y un centro de alfabetizaci n y arte con su esposo.

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