Las Ninas: A Collection of Childhood Memories [Paperback]

Sarah Rafael Garcia (Author), Roberto Cabello-Argandona (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 23, 2008

Las Niñas is a collection of autobiographical childhood memories of three Mexican-American sisters. It recounts their struggles while being raised as the first generation born in America of their Mexican family. Las Niñas portrays common situations that immigrant families can relate to through their own process of cultural assimilation. Each chapter is a different childhood memory celebrating culture, life and change through humor and self-reflection. Its creative style and unique display of a child's perception will entice many genres of readers and provide insight on the possible challenges that many recent immigrants face with their family's new generation in America. The childhood memories lightly touch on issues of immigration, learning English as a second language and assimilating into the American culture. Las Niñas reveals the most humorous, intimate and traumatic events that occurred as Sarita, Chuchen and Nini grew up in their family's new country, ultimately providing the foundation for surviving their father's death at such a young age. The bond among the three sisters allows the reader to feel their family's pride and growth in a dual culture. Nevertheless, the reader's own entertainment and personal relevance will be the greatest contributor to Las Niñas' popularity and triumph. Las Niñas represent an honest and heart-felt account of first generation Latinas, American-born girls, who grew up in a Mexican cultural cocoon, to open it and converge in to their outgoing personalities into middleclass ethnic America. The authoress provides a most candid and enlightening perspective of growing up in America in the Latino barrio. Andrea Alessandra

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sarah Rafael García is a consumated presenter and writer. She brings her life to the open revealing, both the cultural contrasts and universality of her personal experiences.

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Floricanto Press; First edition (July 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888205091
• ISBN-13: 978-1888205091
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,653,796 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Reviews by Livin' la vida Latina, June 7, 2011

By 

Livin' la vida Latina (U.S.A) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Las Ninas: A Collection of Childhood Memories (Paperback)

Reviewed by: Sandra Lopez, author of[...] and [...]
Member of Livin' la vida Latina
[...]

Review: I was so impressed by this writer's amazing talent.

La Niñas is a short autobiography about three young girls growing up as a first-generation Mexican-American family in the U.S. Each memory reads like a short story. It navigates the experience from a child's perspective but carries an adult philosophy with compelling revelation. This book explored the daily issues that many immigrant families go through when assimilating to a new, unfamiliar country. Like most childhood memories, there were good times, bad times, and most often confusing times (especially for a little girl.) In "Chair, Chair, Chair," little Sarah has to give a speech in front of her entire school. The thing is her primary language was Spanish, and when she said "chair" for the very first time, her teacher made fun of her. Of course, the rest of the Spanish-speaking students were afraid to step up and speak--a common sight among our public school system.

One of my favorite parts was when the girls were fighting each other over the bathroom due to diarrhea they got from peanut butter. They called it "peeing from the butt." I laughed at that part. I also liked that each story foretold a life lesson the author acquired from growing up. Like when the Vietnamese family wanted to buy her dog, Twinkie, just so they could eat it. Ewe! Who wouldn't find that disgusting? But then her father explained that every culture has different traditions and they should not be judged by it. Just like Mexicans eat cow's head. Very true!

This book was a great example of growing up Latina. It definitely made me question my cultural issues and reflect back on my family. Write down the name Sarah Rafael Garcia--she's about to be the next Sandra Cisneros.

4.0 out of 5 stars Just like comfort food with old girlfriends., January 6, 2010

By 

Mrs. M-R (Ann Arbor, MI United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Las Ninas: A Collection of Childhood Memories (Paperback)

What a wonderful collection of anecdotes! Reading this made me feel like I was chatting with an old friend, reminiscing about back in the day. The humor and honesty in the stories reminded me of my own childhood with my own sisters...

4.0 out of 5 stars Move over Sandra Cisneros, June 10, 2009

By 

Celia Flores "Lovz Books" (Orange County) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Las Ninas: A Collection of Childhood Memories (Paperback)

Great book by a talented writer!

Each memory reads like a short story. It navigates the experience from a child's perspective but carries the reflection of an adult. The book was very well-written and it explored the issues that many immigrant families assimilating in America go through everyday. Like most childhood memories, there were good times, bad times, and sometimes confusing moments. My favorite part was when the girls were fighting each other over the bathroom due to diarrhea they got from peanut butter. They called it "peeing from the butt." I laughed at that part. I also liked that each story foretold a life lesson the author acquired from growing up. Like when the Viatnamese family wanted to buy her dog, Twinkie, just so they could eat it. Her father explained that every culture has different traditions and they should not be judged by it. Just like Mexicans eat cow's head.

This book was a great example of growing up Mexican-American. It definitely made me question my cultural issues and reflect back on my family. I would have to say: "Move over Sandra Cisneros! There's a new girl in town, and her name is Sarah. " I totally see this book replacing "Caramelo" in many socialogy or Chicano Studies classes in colleges and universities nation wide.