Sofia comes from a family of storytellers. Here are her tales of growing up in the barrio, full of the magic and mystery of family traditions: making Easter cascarones, celebrating el Dia de los Muertos, preparing for quinceañera, rejoicing in the Christmas nacimiento, and curing homesickness by eating the tequila worm.
When Sofia is singled out to receive a scholarship to an elite boarding school, she longs to explore life beyond the barrio, even though it means leaving her family to navigate a strange world of rich, privileged kids. It's a different mundo, but one where Sofia's traditions take on new meaning and illuminate her path.
"From an early age, Sofia has watched the comadres in her close-knit barrio community, in a small Texas town, and she dreams of becoming 'someone who makes people into a family,' as the comadres do. The secret, her young self observes, seems to lie in telling stories and 'being brave enough to eat a whole tequila worm.' In this warm, entertaining debut novel, Canales follows Sofia from early childhood through her teen years, when she receives a scholarship to attend an exclusive boarding school. Each chapter centers on the vivid particulars of Mexican American traditions....Readers of all backgrounds will easily connect with Sofia as she grows up, becomes a comadre, and helps rebuild the powerful, affectionate community that raised her." -- Gillian Engberg, School Library Journal
Recommended Age | 12 and up |
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Author | Viola Canales |
ISBN | 0375840893 |
Publication Date | Mar 13, 2007 |
Publisher | Wendy Lamb Books |
Award Winners | Pura Belpré Award |
Language | English |