Birthday in the Barrio/Cumpleanos en el barrio

by Mayra Lazara Dole

In this second bilingual book by author Mayra L. Dole, lively, determined Chavi sets off on yet another Miami adventure. This time it's a fifteenth birthday party for her buddy Rosario's sister that sends her swooshing through her Cuban American neighborhood, recruiting children and grownups to help in the planning and cooking. Once again Chavi proves that she can bring an entire community together for a heartfelt and ultimately very special event. Mayra L. Dole's bouncy prose and Tonel's bright, witty watercolors will delight readers who know and love Chavi, as well as those who are discovering this amazing eight-year-old heroine for the first time.

Genres: Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 25, 2004

About the author

I'm passionate about my quirky girlfriend, writing, reading, guitar, art, mangoes, science, music, maths, chocolate, exotic palm trees, organic foods, solar, ETC. I was born in Havana. We live in Florida with our wacky mutts.

Reviews

[Sandra Madrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Birthday in the Barrio/Cumpleanos en el barrio is a story about a girl named Chavi, she is trying to figure out a way for her and her friends to help her older sister celebrate a quicianera. The problem is that their dad is unemployed so her sister is not able to have a quinceanera, but Chavi takes on the challenge. This book relates to my topic because it is centered on a quinceanera. When it comes to the Latino culture a quinceanera is a big deal in a girls’ life. It signifies that a girl is becoming a young woman. This book allows children to become familiar with the importance of this event in the Latino culture.
The story is interesting because Chavi is the one who is trying to make a quicianera happen while including the whole community, the story line is entertaining. The book is designed for ages 5-9, so children from first grade to third grade will be able to enjoy this book. The book also contains words that are in Spanish, this is good because students can learn new words. It includes realistic characters, it is a realistic fiction. Students can physically relate to the characters and the situation. The book’s illustrations are appropriate as well. They are water color and they are appealing to look at. The story also represents different cultural groups because she tries to get the whole street to help her, it depicts diversity.

[Mayra Velazquez]

I like how this book relates to me because the protagonist is also Hispanic, she is a Cuban girl who lives in a barrio in Miami. This book allows readers to explore different cultures other than theirs.

[Jd · Rating 5 out of 5]

FUN read. my little niece is crazy about Chavi. i hate the cover, though, which doesn't represent the colorful art inside book, or lively text.