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Once Upon a Quinceanera

Coming of Age in the USA

Author Julia Alvarez
Paperback
$18.00 US
Penguin Adult HC/TR | Plume
On sale Jul 29, 2008 | 288 Pages | 978-0-452-28830-0
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  • English > Comparative Literature: American > Latino/a and Chicano/a Non-Fiction
  • History > Race and Gender Studies > History of Mexican Americans
  • Sociology > Race / Class / Gender > Gender Studies
  • About
  • Author
Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, a “phenomenal, indispensable” (USA Today) exploration of the Latina “sweet fifteen” celebration, by the bestselling author of How the García Girls Lost Their Accents and In the Time of the Butterflies.

The quinceañera, a celebration of a Latina girl’s fifteenth birthday, has become a uniquely American trend. This lavish party with ball gowns, multi-tiered cakes, limousines, and extravagant meals is often as costly as a prom or a wedding. But many Latina girls feel entitled to this rite of passage, marking a girl’s entrance into womanhood, and expect no expense to be spared, even in working-class families.

Acclaimed author Julia Alvarez explores the history and cultural significance of the “quince” in the United States, and the consequences of treating teens like princesses. Through her observations of a quince in Queens, interviews with other quince girls, and the memories of her own experience as a young immigrant, Alvarez presents a thoughtful and entertaining portrait of a rapidly growing multicultural phenomenon, and passionately emphasizes the importance of celebrating Latina womanhood.
© Bill Eichner
Julia Alvarez is the author of the novels How the García Girls Lost Their Accents, In the Time of the Butterflies (a national Book Critics Circle Award finalist), and Yo!. She has also published two poetry collections (Homecoming and The Other side/El Otro Lado) and a collection of essays (Something to Declare).

Julia Álvarez es la autora de De cómo las chicas García perdieron el acento, En el tiempo de las mariposas (un finalista del National Book Critics Circle Award) y ¡Yo!. También ha publicado dos colecciones de poesía y una colección de ensayos. Julia Álvarez vive en Vermont y en República Dominicana, donde dirige una cooperativa de café orgánico, y un centro de alfabetización y arte con su esposo. View titles by Julia Alvarez

About

Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, a “phenomenal, indispensable” (USA Today) exploration of the Latina “sweet fifteen” celebration, by the bestselling author of How the García Girls Lost Their Accents and In the Time of the Butterflies.

The quinceañera, a celebration of a Latina girl’s fifteenth birthday, has become a uniquely American trend. This lavish party with ball gowns, multi-tiered cakes, limousines, and extravagant meals is often as costly as a prom or a wedding. But many Latina girls feel entitled to this rite of passage, marking a girl’s entrance into womanhood, and expect no expense to be spared, even in working-class families.

Acclaimed author Julia Alvarez explores the history and cultural significance of the “quince” in the United States, and the consequences of treating teens like princesses. Through her observations of a quince in Queens, interviews with other quince girls, and the memories of her own experience as a young immigrant, Alvarez presents a thoughtful and entertaining portrait of a rapidly growing multicultural phenomenon, and passionately emphasizes the importance of celebrating Latina womanhood.

Author

© Bill Eichner
Julia Alvarez is the author of the novels How the García Girls Lost Their Accents, In the Time of the Butterflies (a national Book Critics Circle Award finalist), and Yo!. She has also published two poetry collections (Homecoming and The Other side/El Otro Lado) and a collection of essays (Something to Declare).

Julia Álvarez es la autora de De cómo las chicas García perdieron el acento, En el tiempo de las mariposas (un finalista del National Book Critics Circle Award) y ¡Yo!. También ha publicado dos colecciones de poesía y una colección de ensayos. Julia Álvarez vive en Vermont y en República Dominicana, donde dirige una cooperativa de café orgánico, y un centro de alfabetización y arte con su esposo. View titles by Julia Alvarez

Additional formats

  • Habia una vez una quinceanera
    Habia una vez una quinceanera
    De niña a mujer en EE.UU.
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-452-28939-0
    $18.00 US
    Paperback
    Plume
    Jul 29, 2008
  • Once Upon a Quinceanera
    Once Upon a Quinceanera
    Coming of Age in the USA
    Julia Alvarez
    978-1-101-21340-7
    $10.99 US
    Ebook
    Plume
    Aug 02, 2007
  • Once Upon a Quinceanera
    Once Upon a Quinceanera
    Coming of Age in the USA
    Julia Alvarez
    978-1-4295-8622-1
    $20.00 US
    Audiobook Download
    Penguin Audio
    Aug 02, 2007
  • Habia una vez una quinceanera
    Habia una vez una quinceanera
    De niña a mujer en EE.UU.
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-452-28939-0
    $18.00 US
    Paperback
    Plume
    Jul 29, 2008
  • Once Upon a Quinceanera
    Once Upon a Quinceanera
    Coming of Age in the USA
    Julia Alvarez
    978-1-101-21340-7
    $10.99 US
    Ebook
    Plume
    Aug 02, 2007
  • Once Upon a Quinceanera
    Once Upon a Quinceanera
    Coming of Age in the USA
    Julia Alvarez
    978-1-4295-8622-1
    $20.00 US
    Audiobook Download
    Penguin Audio
    Aug 02, 2007

Other Books by this Author

  • In the Time of the Butterflies
    In the Time of the Butterflies
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-14-313654-5
    $28.00 US
    Hardcover
    Penguin Classics
    Dec 14, 2021
  • How the García Girls Lost Their Accents
    How the García Girls Lost Their Accents
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-14-313655-2
    $27.00 US
    Hardcover
    Penguin Classics
    Dec 14, 2021
  • Finding Miracles
    Finding Miracles
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-399-55548-0
    $9.99 US
    Paperback
    Ember
    Mar 27, 2018
  • Before We Were Free
    Before We Were Free
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-399-55549-7
    $10.99 US
    Paperback
    Ember
    Mar 27, 2018
  • Antes de ser libres
    Antes de ser libres
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-525-57977-9
    $10.99 US
    Paperback
    Ember
    Mar 27, 2018
  • Una boda en Haiti
    Una boda en Haiti
    Historia de una amistad
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-14-242473-5
    $16.95 US
    Paperback
    Plume
    May 29, 2013
  • Un regalo de gracias
    Un regalo de gracias
    La leyenda de la Altagracia
    Julia Alvarez, Beatriz Vidal
    978-0-307-79347-8
    $6.99 US
    Ebook
    Knopf Books for Young Readers
    Nov 28, 2012
  • De como tia Lola termino empezando otra vez (How Aunt Lola Ended Up Starting Over Spanish Edition)
    De como tia Lola termino empezando otra vez (How Aunt Lola Ended Up Starting Over Spanish Edition)
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-375-98866-0
    $6.99 US
    Ebook
    Yearling
    Sep 11, 2012
  • De como tia Lola salvo el verano (How Aunt Lola Saved the Summer Spanish Edition)
    De como tia Lola salvo el verano (How Aunt Lola Saved the Summer Spanish Edition)
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-375-98856-1
    $6.99 US
    Ebook
    Yearling
    May 08, 2012
  • How Tia Lola Ended Up Starting Over
    How Tia Lola Ended Up Starting Over
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-375-89995-9
    $6.99 US
    Ebook
    Knopf Books for Young Readers
    Sep 13, 2011
  • De como tia Lola aprendio a ensenar (How Aunt Lola Learned to Teach Spanish Edition)
    De como tia Lola aprendio a ensenar (How Aunt Lola Learned to Teach Spanish Edition)
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-375-98467-9
    $6.99 US
    Ebook
    Yearling
    Sep 13, 2011
  • De como tia Lola vino (de visita) a quedarse (How Aunt Lola Came to (Visit) Stay Spanish Edition)
    De como tia Lola vino (de visita) a quedarse (How Aunt Lola Came to (Visit) Stay Spanish Edition)
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-375-98892-9
    $7.99 US
    Ebook
    Yearling
    Sep 13, 2011
  • How Tia Lola Saved the Summer
    How Tia Lola Saved the Summer
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-375-89766-5
    $6.99 US
    Ebook
    Knopf Books for Young Readers
    May 10, 2011
  • A Gift of Gracias
    A Gift of Gracias
    Julia Alvarez, Beatriz Vidal
    978-0-375-98482-2
    $5.99 US
    Ebook
    Knopf Books for Young Readers
    Apr 13, 2011
  • How Tia Lola Learned to Teach
    How Tia Lola Learned to Teach
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-375-89584-5
    $6.99 US
    Ebook
    Knopf Books for Young Readers
    Oct 12, 2010
  • Devolver al Remitente (Return to Sender Spanish Edition)
    Devolver al Remitente (Return to Sender Spanish Edition)
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-375-89705-4
    $6.99 US
    Ebook
    Yearling
    Sep 14, 2010
  • How Tia Lola Came to (Visit) Stay
    How Tia Lola Came to (Visit) Stay
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-307-53118-6
    $6.99 US
    Ebook
    Yearling
    Feb 19, 2009
  • Return to Sender
    Return to Sender
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-375-89161-8
    $5.99 US
    Ebook
    Knopf Books for Young Readers
    Jan 13, 2009
  • En busca de milagros
    En busca de milagros
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-553-49407-5
    $7.99 US
    Mass Market Paperback
    Laurel Leaf
    May 09, 2006
  • En el tiempo de las mariposas
    En el tiempo de las mariposas
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-452-28686-3
    $17.00 US
    Paperback
    Plume
    Oct 25, 2005
  • The Secret Footprints
    The Secret Footprints
    Julia Alvarez, Fabian Negrin
    978-0-440-41747-7
    $7.99 US
    Paperback
    Dragonfly Books
    Sep 10, 2002
  • Las huellas secretas
    Las huellas secretas
    Julia Alvarez, Fabian Negrin
    978-0-440-41764-4
    $8.99 US
    Paperback
    Dragonfly Books
    Sep 10, 2002
  • Yo! (Spanish Language Edition)
    Yo! (Spanish Language Edition)
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-452-28140-0
    $17.00 US
    Paperback
    Plume
    Sep 01, 1999
  • The Other Side/El Otro Lado
    The Other Side/El Otro Lado
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-452-27341-2
    $17.00 US
    Paperback
    Plume
    Dec 01, 1996
  • Homecoming
    Homecoming
    New and Collected Poems
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-452-27567-6
    $18.00 US
    Paperback
    Plume
    Apr 01, 1996
  • In the Time of the Butterflies
    In the Time of the Butterflies
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-14-313654-5
    $28.00 US
    Hardcover
    Penguin Classics
    Dec 14, 2021
  • How the García Girls Lost Their Accents
    How the García Girls Lost Their Accents
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-14-313655-2
    $27.00 US
    Hardcover
    Penguin Classics
    Dec 14, 2021
  • Finding Miracles
    Finding Miracles
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-399-55548-0
    $9.99 US
    Paperback
    Ember
    Mar 27, 2018
  • Before We Were Free
    Before We Were Free
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-399-55549-7
    $10.99 US
    Paperback
    Ember
    Mar 27, 2018
  • Antes de ser libres
    Antes de ser libres
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-525-57977-9
    $10.99 US
    Paperback
    Ember
    Mar 27, 2018
  • Una boda en Haiti
    Una boda en Haiti
    Historia de una amistad
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-14-242473-5
    $16.95 US
    Paperback
    Plume
    May 29, 2013
  • Un regalo de gracias
    Un regalo de gracias
    La leyenda de la Altagracia
    Julia Alvarez, Beatriz Vidal
    978-0-307-79347-8
    $6.99 US
    Ebook
    Knopf Books for Young Readers
    Nov 28, 2012
  • De como tia Lola termino empezando otra vez (How Aunt Lola Ended Up Starting Over Spanish Edition)
    De como tia Lola termino empezando otra vez (How Aunt Lola Ended Up Starting Over Spanish Edition)
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-375-98866-0
    $6.99 US
    Ebook
    Yearling
    Sep 11, 2012
  • De como tia Lola salvo el verano (How Aunt Lola Saved the Summer Spanish Edition)
    De como tia Lola salvo el verano (How Aunt Lola Saved the Summer Spanish Edition)
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-375-98856-1
    $6.99 US
    Ebook
    Yearling
    May 08, 2012
  • How Tia Lola Ended Up Starting Over
    How Tia Lola Ended Up Starting Over
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-375-89995-9
    $6.99 US
    Ebook
    Knopf Books for Young Readers
    Sep 13, 2011
  • De como tia Lola aprendio a ensenar (How Aunt Lola Learned to Teach Spanish Edition)
    De como tia Lola aprendio a ensenar (How Aunt Lola Learned to Teach Spanish Edition)
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-375-98467-9
    $6.99 US
    Ebook
    Yearling
    Sep 13, 2011
  • De como tia Lola vino (de visita) a quedarse (How Aunt Lola Came to (Visit) Stay Spanish Edition)
    De como tia Lola vino (de visita) a quedarse (How Aunt Lola Came to (Visit) Stay Spanish Edition)
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-375-98892-9
    $7.99 US
    Ebook
    Yearling
    Sep 13, 2011
  • How Tia Lola Saved the Summer
    How Tia Lola Saved the Summer
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-375-89766-5
    $6.99 US
    Ebook
    Knopf Books for Young Readers
    May 10, 2011
  • A Gift of Gracias
    A Gift of Gracias
    Julia Alvarez, Beatriz Vidal
    978-0-375-98482-2
    $5.99 US
    Ebook
    Knopf Books for Young Readers
    Apr 13, 2011
  • How Tia Lola Learned to Teach
    How Tia Lola Learned to Teach
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-375-89584-5
    $6.99 US
    Ebook
    Knopf Books for Young Readers
    Oct 12, 2010
  • Devolver al Remitente (Return to Sender Spanish Edition)
    Devolver al Remitente (Return to Sender Spanish Edition)
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-375-89705-4
    $6.99 US
    Ebook
    Yearling
    Sep 14, 2010
  • How Tia Lola Came to (Visit) Stay
    How Tia Lola Came to (Visit) Stay
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-307-53118-6
    $6.99 US
    Ebook
    Yearling
    Feb 19, 2009
  • Return to Sender
    Return to Sender
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-375-89161-8
    $5.99 US
    Ebook
    Knopf Books for Young Readers
    Jan 13, 2009
  • En busca de milagros
    En busca de milagros
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-553-49407-5
    $7.99 US
    Mass Market Paperback
    Laurel Leaf
    May 09, 2006
  • En el tiempo de las mariposas
    En el tiempo de las mariposas
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-452-28686-3
    $17.00 US
    Paperback
    Plume
    Oct 25, 2005
  • The Secret Footprints
    The Secret Footprints
    Julia Alvarez, Fabian Negrin
    978-0-440-41747-7
    $7.99 US
    Paperback
    Dragonfly Books
    Sep 10, 2002
  • Las huellas secretas
    Las huellas secretas
    Julia Alvarez, Fabian Negrin
    978-0-440-41764-4
    $8.99 US
    Paperback
    Dragonfly Books
    Sep 10, 2002
  • Yo! (Spanish Language Edition)
    Yo! (Spanish Language Edition)
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-452-28140-0
    $17.00 US
    Paperback
    Plume
    Sep 01, 1999
  • The Other Side/El Otro Lado
    The Other Side/El Otro Lado
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-452-27341-2
    $17.00 US
    Paperback
    Plume
    Dec 01, 1996
  • Homecoming
    Homecoming
    New and Collected Poems
    Julia Alvarez
    978-0-452-27567-6
    $18.00 US
    Paperback
    Plume
    Apr 01, 1996
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