I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I'm actually surprised by how i fast i read this! I think it has to do with the fact that i really liked it :)Violet Paz is a sophomore in High School who has just turned 15 years old. Her family is half Polish and half Cuban, yet she feels in between because she doesn't know much about her family roots, especially her Cuban side. When her Abuela (Grandmother) brings up the subject of a Quinceañero, Violet immediately objects to this nonsense. Who in there right mind would want to wear a puffy dress the color of petmol bistmol? Let alone, get in front of a crowd of people and proclaim your womanhood? These are the types of questions and thoughts that linger through Violet's head as her family insist that she have a Quince Fiesta. In case you don't know, a Quinceañero is a traditional coming of age party for Latina girls when they turn 15. A bit similar to a Sweet 16 party. While reading this book i remembered when i turned 15, it really was a special moment for me! I didn't have a Quince fiesta though- i didn't want one. Nancy Osa did such a great job capturing that feeling of when a girl is in that part of her life where she comes to terms with becoming a Señorita (Young Lady)There is also a Sub-Plot in this story that ties in PERFECTLY with the plot of Violet, planning her Quince with her family and two best friends. In school, Violet is invited to join the Speech Team with her two best friends by one of their teacher's. Violet is placed in the Original Comedy section of the team and to her surprise, she finds inspiration for her original piece from her family.Through this assignment, Violet finds herself seeking answers about her Cuban heritage. She even reaches the point where boundaries end up being crossed which results in a heartfelt climax with her family. I believe that a lot of girls would find this book to be an interesting read! It's funny, life like, and touching! Girls who are planning on having a Quince Fiesta will definitely enjoy this story! Grab this book Señoritas! :)
A rollicking look at the Cuban quinceanero, a special ceremony for girls who turn 15. Violet Paz is half Cuban, half Polish, and her father’s mother has decided Violet needs to have her quinceanero, though Violet barely speaks Spanish, knows little of her Cuban heritage (her father is quite close-mouthed about it) and Violet dislikes almost all aspects of the traditional party (especially having to wear a dress). Violet learns to love her family and her heritage, though it takes joining the speech team to do so. Violet is picked to do Original Comedy, and she creates a routine that personifies her family perfectly—right down to the accents hergrandparents have. In the end, Violet has her quinceanero the way she likes it—wearing pants—and her whole family learns more about themselves and how to share with one another.Osa has written a fun story (parts of the story are laugh-out-loud) that shows the ups and downs a family, particularly a biracial family, goes through, particularly when one family member is a teenager. Violet’s character grows and changes through the course of the novelat a believable rate, and the characters around Violet are not cardboard cut-outs, including her little brother, her best friends, her new boyfriend and her extended family. Spanish phrases are sprinkled throughout and fit the text accordingly. Even readers who aren’t in a blended family will enjoy this title.
What do You think about Cuba 15 (2005)?
Cuba 15 tells the story of Violet Paz whose grandmother expects her to have a quinceañero in celebration of her 15th birthday and her Cuban heritage, but feels completely disconnected from her half-Cuban, half-Polish roots. The story focuses on Paz's desire to learn more about Cuban culture and form her own viewpoints based on the viewpoints she is exposed to. Students may be interested in this if they'd like to know more about hispanic or Cuban culture, if they feel disconnected from their cult
—English Education
Violet Paz, the 15 year old narrator of Cuba 15, is finding herself in the middle of preparing for her quinceranero, a traditional party thrown for fifteen year old girls in Latin American countries. The problem? Violet has no interest in celebrating. Wearing a pink dress and a tiara in front of all of her friends and family is the last activity she would ever want to participate in. She is more interested in her speech team, her friends, and American culture. Violet’s father is from Cuba, while her mother is Polish American. Throughout the story, Violet learns more about a culture that at first seems so foreign to her.Nancy Osa has created a strong voice in the character of Violet. The writing is often witty, and Violet’s sense of humor is illustrated throughout the book. She is a typical teenager, with the typical worries, yet she is trying to figure out what culture she feels she fits best; American or Cuban. There is conflict between Violet and her father as she is looking for answers and desires to know more about his life growing up in Cuba. Violet is surrounded by her Latin American culture, and when she takes a Spanish class, she desires to know more about where she is from. The character of Violet shows growth throughout the story, as she learns more about her roots and where her family is from. Seventh graders and up would enjoy reading this coming of age story, discussions of acceptance, understanding, and cultural diversity could tie into the novel. This is a realistic fiction novel that many cross-cultural students will relate to. Readers, who enjoyed Pam Munoz Ryan’s Esperanza Rising, would also enjoy this story, told also from the point of view of a strong female voice coming of age in America.
—Casey Strauss
Violet Paz is a rare exception among teen female YA characters: she has self confidence, a sense of humor, and a keen awareness of the world around her. She turns her observations into comedy gold when she writes an original comic monologue for her school's speech competition. (As a former speech competitor myself, I loved all of the sectional and regional competition details that the author included.) I also love that even though Violet is interested in boys and has a little bit of romance in this book, most of the story is about her discovery of cultural and personal identity rather than about whether or not she will get the boy. It was refreshing to have most of the narrative devoted to her time spent with family than to her time spent mooning over a guy.Full review on Slatebreakers: http://slatebreakers.com/2011/09/15/r...
—Brianna
