| Once Upon a Quinceanera: Coming of Age in the USA Contributor(s): Alvarez, Julia (Author) |
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ISBN: 0452288304 ISBN-13: 9780452288300 Publisher: Penguin Adult Hc/Tr OUR PRICE: $16.20 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: July 2008 Annotation: The bestselling author of "How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents" explores the phenomenon of the Latina sweet 15 celebration. An enlightening and entertaining portrait of contemporary Latino culture, this work also takes a critical look at the social consequences of the quince parties. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Social Science | Ethnic Studies - Hispanic American Studies - Social Science | Customs & Traditions - Family & Relationships | Life Stages - Teenagers |
| Dewey: 395.24 |
| Lexile Measure: 1180 |
| Physical Information: 0.7" H x 5.3" W x 7.7" (0.55 lbs) 288 pages |
| Themes: - Ethnic Orientation - Hispanic - Ethnic Orientation - Latino - Event - Birthday - Sex & Gender - Feminine - Topical - Adolescence/Coming of Age |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: 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 Garc a Girls Lost Their Accents and In the Time of the Butterflies. The quincea era, 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. |