Quinceanera

Children's Literature - Kristin Harris

In many Latino communities, a special celebration of a young woman's fifteenth birthday is a rite of passage into adulthood. This celebration is called a quincea±era. Photographer Elizabeth King has documented the range of activities that proceed the event as well as all of the activities of the special day. She follows Cindy Chavez and Suzana Prieto, both young women living in Southern California. Weeks of preparation go into this all-day event that starts with a Mass and ends with a big fiesta. Quincea±era's have much in common with weddings: a very fancy dress, a cake, female and male attendants (damas and chambelanes) and a feast. A rich range of Latino crafts and culture are featured in this event that finds its roots in Aztec customs. The big day arrives and all members of the family and many from the community play an important part in welcoming the young women as adults.

VOYA - Delia A. Culberson

This handsome, oversized book provides a charming introduction to the traditional coming-of-age celebration popular in many Latin American societies. The book has an enchanting fairy-tale quality, with its many beautiful color photographs and a lyrical text that take the reader through the various steps involved in these festive ceremonies that celebrate a young woman's fifteenth birthday. Spanish words and phrases used throughout the book are followed by their English translations. This book features Cindy, whose family is originally from El Salvador, and Suzana (Suzi), a young Mexican American. Though there are some differences in the two girls' celebrations, both are quite formal and lavish. The celebrations have strong religious overtones and begin with each girl and her family attending a solemn Mass, followed by an elaborate reception attended by relatives and friends, a fancy cake, abundant food, and music for dancing. Each young woman will have a court of honor, with both male and female attendants; Suzi will wear a white gown, whereas Cindy will wear a pink one as is the custom in El Salvador. Other differences are mainly a matter of personal choice: Cindy will wear a crown of flowers on her head, Suzi has chosen a tiara. Choice of menu and entertainment are also matters of personal preference. Coming-of-age rituals are traditional in many cultures; for Latin American families, these ceremonies combine age-old European, Native American, and religious traditions to proudly celebrate a beloved daughter reaching womanhood. This beautiful book will be popular in junior and middle school libraries, particularly in those with a large Hispanic readership, and will give non-Hispanics a fascinating glimpse into a cherished tradition that marks an important milestone in a young Latina's life. Photos. VOYA Codes: 4Q 3P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses, Will appeal with pushing, Middle School-defined as grades 6 to 8 and Junior High-defined as grades 7 to 9).

Kirkus Reviews

The artful blend of photography and text combine to provide a poignant glimpse into the lives of two young Latina women, Cindy Chavez and Suzan Preito, as they ceremoniously enter adulthood. King (The Pumpkin Patch, 1990, etc.) chronicles the preparations leading up to two girls' quincea¤eras, a coming-of-age ceremony that takes place around a girl's 15th birthday. She skillfully conveys both the excitement and solemnity of the occasion, examining the many details involved in such an event: the significance of the vestido, or dress, pastel (cake), and recuerdos (mementos); the mastering of the steps of the vals (waltz); choosing a church for the Mass. The candid full-color images explore the moments that define such an event—from a barely patient younger brother waiting in the car to spectacular shots of the exquisite interior of the mission where the Mass is said. Readers realize, through the narrative and photography, that the families put considerable care and love into this rite of passage. With plenty of historical background, and also available in Spanish (0-525-45844-1), this has appeal for a wide audience. (Nonfiction. 10-15)