Trinity Soup [Paperback]

Carolyn Ortiz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 27, 2008

A bright and talented young African-American girl, Danielle Webb lives in an upper-middle-class neighborhood along the central California coast and attends a private elementary school with her best friend, Francesco. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when her father's business fails, placing a financial and emotional strain on the entire family. After many months of slamming doors and angry whispers, her parents separate, and ten-year-old Danielle must leave her cozy, familiar world to attend a public junior high school, where she faces the challenge of fitting in and making new friends. For the first time in her life, she must confront issues related to race, social class, and the importance of religion in the African American community. In time, Danielle befriends Maya, a cheerful, religious girl. As their friendship grows, the girls learn from one another and ultimately develop a deeper appreciation of culture, family, and spirituality. Trinity Soup shows how Danielle's strength and determination help her to overcome the challenges in her life.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Carolyn Ortiz earned a master?s degree in counseling psychology from Santa Clara University in California. She placed first in the 2007 San Francisco Writing Contest, sponsored by the San Francisco Writers Conference. Ortiz lives in Redwood Shores, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 98 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (April 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 059544718X
• ISBN-13: 978-0595447183
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,974,031 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Addition To Any Young Reader's Book Collection, October 6, 2008

By 

Apex Reviews (Durham, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Trinity Soup (Paperback)

(Official Apex Reviews Rating: 4.5 Stars)

Danielle Webb is a bright, talented, and nice young girl who lives with her family in an upper-middle-class neighborhood. She also attends a private school with her best friend, Francesco. When her father's business fails, Danielle and her family find themselves in financial and emotional trouble. On top of the business failing, her parents have separated, and Danielle must now leave everything she's ever known and attend a public junior high school, where she finds it's not very easy making new friends. Eventually, Danielle befriends Maya, and, as their friendship grows, they learn the many values that each other's different cultures have to offer.

Younger readers will definitely enjoy Trinity Soup and watch as Danielle overcomes many of the obstacles that young girls must face these days. There are many lessons to be learned in this story, and readers are fortunate that there is a book out there that can make them feel positive about change. Trinity Soup reassures young people that there is hope, even when they feel that all is lost. A wonderful, heartwarming addition to any young reader's book collection!

Brooke Carleton

Apex Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Finding My Way - (RAW Rating: 3.5), February 18, 2009

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trinity Soup (Paperback)

By some standards, Danielle Webb is part of a seemingly idealistic world. In TRINITY SOUP by Carolyn Ortiz, Danielle lives in an upper middle class, ethnically mixed neighborhood in scenic, coastal California. She is beloved by her parents and friends; she attends one of the most prestigious private schools in the area; she is bright, energetic and talented. She possesses a talent for cooking and entertaining, and rebuffs the typical teenage angsts of having the latest designer clothing, hairstyles and boyfriends. Danielle would rather hang out with her neighborhood friend Francesco, her cooking partner, than a group of popular girls.

Danielle's mother is a teacher and ever so cautious about the family's finances. Her father leaves his job and purchases a sports memorabilia store, which has been his heart's desire for many years. After many loans and the lack of sales, the business fails; Danielle's parents separate. Because of the family's financial situation, Danielle must attend public school and leave all she knows behind.

At the new school Danielle finds the cliques, jealousy and all of the other issues she considers frivolous. After standing up to a bully and rallying around a new friend, she learns to navigate her new landscape as she encounters matters of class, culture and being part of a non-traditional family. Most important to her parents is Danielle's ability to remain steadfast in her studies and her ability to adapt.

The imagery is detailed as it relates to the California coastline and the main character's penchant for cooking. The author, Carolyn Ortiz, has penned a short but effective book for young teens which highlights a child's ability to overcome certain obstacles. The characters are likable, the dialog spirited and the issues portrayed, realistic.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves

of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

5.0 out of 5 stars New Beginnings, January 4, 2009

By 

OOSA Online Book Club "O.O.S.A. Gets It Read!" (World Wide Web, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Trinity Soup (Paperback)

Danielle Webb is intelligent, loves exotic foods and is organized. She and her parents, Douglas and Elizabeth, are the only black family who live in their neighborhood in the small California town. She attends Cypress Elementary, a private school, with her best friend, Francesco De Palma. Even at ten and a half she already knows that girls can be a little touchy.

When Douglas starts his own sports memorabilia store, things for the Webb family become edgy. Elizabeth is angry, but Danielle understands her dad's need to live out his dream. Will Danielle learn to adjust to all of the changes in her life?

"Trinity Soup" is an easy and inspiring read! It characterizes family, cultures and spirituality that I believe any and all age groups can relate to.

Reviewed by: Marshae

Teen Reviewer

4.5 stars