Quinceanera Means Sweet Fifteen [Hardcover]

Veronica Chambers (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: 3 and up

Marisol and Magdalena are making plans for their quincea"era parties, their fifteenth birthday celebration that they've been waiting for their whole lives. They've promised each other that they will be the dama de honor at each other's quince.

But quincea"eras are expensive, and Marisol's mother doesn't know if she can afford a party at all, especially not one as extravagant as Magdalena's. And while Marisol was away in Panama, Magdalena became friends with two girls Marisol can't stand. Marisol wonders if her year in Panama changed her - maybe she isn't cool or rich enough anymore to be Magda's friend.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 6-9. In this lively sequel to Marisol and Magdalena (1998), the two best friends find their lifelong closeness jeopardized when the romantic dreams of their quinceaneras materialize into unpleasant realities: Marisol's mother may not be able to afford a quinceanera, and Magdalena snubs Marisol for two wealthy, troublemaking friends. Narrator Marisol, a decent person with a kind heart, will elicit genuine compassion from readers, who will root for her to have the celebration that she both wants and deserves.

At the same time, Magdalena makes a believable, multifaceted supporting character who pays dearly for her mistakes. This sense of justice is achieved without affectation, and dramatic incidents and themes of family unity and personal integrity come through clearly without seeming contrived or manipulative. In addition to telling an appealing story, Chambers immerses her readers in Panamanian and Latino culture; there's at least one Spanish term or phrase on almost every page, unobtrusively supported by context clues so that even non-Spanish-speaking readers can comprehend every term. Roger Leslie
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Veronica Chambers is the author of two previous books for younger readers, as well as Amistad Rising, The Harlem Renaissance, and Marisol and Magdalena.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1st edition (March 31, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786804971
• ISBN-13: 978-0786804979
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #328,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book that I wish I had when I was 15!, October 16, 2001

By 

"shadesnyc" (brooklyn, ny United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quinceanera Means Sweet Fifteen (Hardcover)

I try to read books that I give my goddaughter beforehand to make sure the story is worth the read and not too racy. This is the second book in the Marisol and Magdalena series, and I read it with as much fevor as the first one. I wished it was around when I was fourteen, figuring out if I wanted a quince or not! But besides the quincenera issue, the issue of growing pains between best childhood friends is very real and beleivable. Highly recommend for girls in the age range of 10-14, especially if they are hispanic (even moreso if they are Panamanian;-) ). Any adult that reads this will go right back to those uncertain days of teenagedom.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book that I wish I had when I was 15!, October 16, 2001

By 

"shadesnyc" (brooklyn, ny United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quinceanera Means Sweet Fifteen (Hardcover)

I try to read books that I give my goddaughter beforehand to make sure the story is worth the read and not too racy. This is the second book in the Marisol and Magdalena series, and I read it with as much fevor as the first one. I wished it was around when I was fourteen, figuring out if I wanted a quince or not! But besides the quincenera issue, the issue of growing pains between best childhood friends is very real and beleivable. Highly recommend for girls in the age range of 10-14, especially if they are hispanic (even moreso if they are Panamanian;-) ). Any adult that reads this will go right back to those uncertain days of teenagedom.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I read it in one day!, April 3, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Quinceanera Means Sweet Fifteen (Hardcover)

Marisol is back from Panama. Magda and her are getting redy for their Sweet Fifteen. The door into womanhood for Latina girls. Marisol's mom,Inez,can't afford a quince. But Marisol dreams about it everyday. While this is going on Marisol's mom has a new boyfriend,which Marisol finds goofy. Another problem is about Magda hanging out with Marisa and Elizabeth(snobs) who make her shoplift. As all of this drama is going on Francisco, a juinor, talks to her after Spanish class. They make a date where she learns more about him. He's Panamanian and he doesn't know his father. At the end she gets her Quinceanera that she's been hoping for.(With Francisco as her date.) Marisol still talks about her memories in Panama and in Nueva York. Like she talks about Ruben and Ana.(Ruben her novio and Ana her amiga in the first book. This book was great. I recommend it to all girls!