Celebrating a Quinceanera: A Latina's 15th Birthday Celebration [Library Binding]

Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith (Author), Lawrence Migdale (Photographer)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

A quinceanera is more than just a birthday party. For Ariana's Mexican-American family, it is also a rite of passage, a religious occasions, and a celebration of heritage. In this festive photo essay, ten-year-old Ariana enthusiastically helps her cousin Cynthia prepare for this big event. It is a effort that involves not only the extended family but the entire community. There are invitations to be delivered, dresses to be chosen, musicians to be hired, dances to be learned and perfected, favours and food to be made, and even counseling sessions for Ariana's cousin to attend at church. On the day of Cynthia's quinceanera, it is clear that everyone's hard work has paid off as the community comes together for an occasion to be remembered and treasured. In a warm and exuberant tribute, Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith and Lawrence Migdale portray a culture and a celebration that is grounded in faith, rich in traditions, and full of life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As they have done in previous collaborations, Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith and photographer Lawrence Migdale once again explore a central cultural tradition. Celebrating a Quincearera: A Latino's 15th Birthday Celebration chronicles the preparation-and the big event-which attends the traditional Mexican-American celebration marking a girl's passage into adulthood. Photographs show preparatory steps, such as sending out invitations and choosing a dress. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-Cynthia Cuevas is turning 15, which marks a rite of passage for a girl-her quincea-era-the day on which she leaves behind her childhood and becomes a young woman. In this beautifully crafted photo-essay, 10-year-old Ariana helps her cousin prepare for the big day. The eye-catching, full-color photos follow the buildup-from writing and hand delivering invitations, planning a menu, choosing the attendants and dresses, and learning to waltz to the event itself. The clearly written, engaging text conveys both the social and religious significance of the event, including a one-page sidebar on Our Lady of Guadalupe. The sense of celebration and transition are honored both in the text, which includes embedded definitions of the Spanish words used, and in the photographs. Girls will find this a fascinating look at an increasingly popular tradition, more successful pictorially and textually than Elizabeth King's Quincea-era (Dutton, 1998). This exemplary photo-essay concludes with a glossary and an accurate index.
Ann Welton, Grant Elementary School, Tacoma, WA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Library Binding: 30 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823416933
• ISBN-13: 978-0823416936
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 10.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,593,194 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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