(4) YA Destiny is "your average fourteen-year-old Puerto Rican-American girl...trying to survive mi familia." Instead of listening to her traditional mom and progressive sister fight about her quinceañera, Destiny prefers to skateboard with her friend Omar and a cute new guy. Though Destiny's narration is stiff, the novel provides insight into the stress--and celebration--a quince can bring.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) K-3 Illustrated by David Diaz. This exploration of life in the barrio culminates in a quinceañera celebration. Chocolate's prose includes sensory images ("rain-washed murals," "silver-streaked tenements"). Diaz's distinctive mixed-media illustrations use a bold color palette to bring the neighborhood to vibrant life. The book as a whole gives a tangible sense of community united through joyous traditions.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Martha Avilés. Lolo wants attention on the day of her sister Eva's quinceañera. When their dog, Gobi, steals Eva's sash, Lolo gets noticed, first for letting Gobi escape, but then for saving the day. Though the story is slight, the book effectively integrates specificity of cultural celebration with the universal childhood need for attention. The round-edged acrylic and liquid watercolor illustrations are full of detail.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(2) YA Fifteen-year-old Violet Paz, who is half Cuban American, half Polish American, feels as though she has a lot of "half talents" but nothing she's really good at. Newly recruited to the high school speech team, Violet discovers her comedic abilities, writing a funny shtick about her "Loco Family." Violet's wry narration will make readers laugh, whether or not their families are as loco as Violet's.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2003