Quinceañera: Celebrating Fifteen

by Elizabeth King

Enhanced by full-color photographs, this story captures the events of one girl's special day while discussing the importance of this birthday tradition in the Latino community.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens, Cultural

Hardcover

First published August 1, 1998

Reviews

[Adriana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows, Cindy Melissa Chavez and her family, in preparation of Cindy’s fifteen-birthday party, which marks the day that a child is transformed into a woman. This book provides a complete look into the process that takes place for the special celebration, including speaking with the priest to prepare for the special mass, dress fittings, cake meetings, making recuerdos (mementos) for the guest, the mass celebration, and the reception to follow. Although this book appears to be outdated due to the outfits and decorations used, the book does a wonderful job in describing the process from start to finish.
Reading this book reminded me of the process that I went through to prepare for my quinceañera, and it will help prepare those that are about to celebrate theirs. It is wonderful to see a book that represents the coming of age for Latinas. The book also includes the origin of this celebration, which can be used for a teenagers writing about the coming of age celebration for a school report.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned the Quinceañera is more then a church mass, pink or white dresses, tiaras, pink cakes, a dinner party, and lots of music and dancing. It also is about community service. Cindy is required to take confirmation classes that will include making meals in her church kitchen for needy people in her community. Suzana works part-time as a receptionist at her local church. Community service shows the responsibility that both girls will take on as adults for their community’s well-being. Beautiful photographs accompany the text in a scrapbook format. Though the author is not Spanish or Latino, her research was conducted through the extended families and friends of the two girls. The book contains a summary of the origin of the Quinceañera. Missing from the book is a bibliography and an index of names, places, subjects, keywords, and translated words. This would have provided value to the book as a curriculum connection.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I personally found this to be one of my favorites, just because the culture around a quinceañera is so intriguing to me. I could not fathom paying for a party and a dress that would cost equal to a wedding! But it's a difference in how people are raised, and I clearly was not raised in the culture to have one. Nonetheless, the dresses are very pretty. I especially liked how they showed two ways that can happen and the like.

[Emily Galicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book because this tradition is practiced in my country. I think that the work that a girl does in order to become woman is remarkable. The book is very interesting and all the explanations are really good. However, I would not recommend this book to young ages. I think that this book could be use for high school grades.

[Alexis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not love this book because it was way too long, and I think that children would get distracted. It is informative about what you do to get ready for a Quinceanera. But I do not think that I would recommend this to children because of the length and it is not very interesting.

[Angie Rabago · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really gives you an insight on what a quinceanera really is and the history behind it.

[ג'ס הופמן]

(I read this in Spanish.)