Sweet
15
Full
Text Review(s)
Destiny
is content being a tomboy and riding her skateboard. Then high school beings and
her Puerto Rican born mother wants her to have a traditional quinceañera.
This celebration of her
15
th
birthday symbolizes giving up her childish ways in favor of
womanhood—accepting a traditional doll in exchange for her beloved teddy
bear. Added to Destiny’s foot dragging when it comes to growing up, her
feminist older sister, America, objects to the ceremony. Her friends from a
myriad of cultural and financial strata contribute their unique complications.
Instead of the stereo typical Latina girl growing up in American culture and
being required to choose which customs to follow, Destiny takes a bold step
toward becoming an adult by creating a middle ground that reflects her values
without alienating the people most important to her. First person narrative,
lively conversations, and distinctive characters would lend themselves to screen
play.
–
LMC
August/September 2010
This little
bit of light reading tells the story of Destiny Lozada and her quinceañera.
Her loving Puerto Rican-American family, made up of a hardworking father, a
slightly push mother, and a rather overbearing sister, helps keep the plot
moving as the teen decides how she feels about a traditional party and whether
she even wants one. Her friends Stephanie and Erin remain largely on the fringes
but help her get out of a couple of tight situations, such as a babysitting
episode that goes awry. Mrs. Lozada is swept up in planning the perfect
quinceañera, while America, Destiny’s sister, fights tooth and nail
against traditional female stereotypes and cultural expectations. Destiny is
caught in the middle, with the added pressure of the ever-mounting expense and a
crush on Nicholas, who may turn out to be more of a cad than a prince. In the
end, Destiny calls a halt to the expensive party and plans an alternative that
suits her unique style and her family’s budget. Entertaining and chatty,
and with an assortment of lively characters, this novel will appeal mostly to
girls who are making their own way through the labyrinth of friendship, first
boyfriends, and parental expectations.
–School
Library Journal
, July 2010
Destiny Lozada’s
fifteenth birthday is approaching, and Mami is set on a traditional
quinceañera
ceremony. However, Destiny’s fiery, feminist older sister, America, is
against the whole thing, and Papi is trying to stay out of it. Meanwhile,
Destiny worries about finding a "caballero," the traditional male
escort; starting high school; and her Puerto Rican-American family’s
financial struggles. With pressure mounting, Destiny seeks escape in
skateboarding and watching TV. But she can’t avoid things forever, and,
ultimately, she finds the confidence and courage to speak out for what she wants
and to determine what her
quinceañera
means—to her. Destiny is a well-drawn protagonist whose lively narrative
is sprinkled with Spanish vocabulary and heartfelt moments that explore
quinceañera
traditions and the challenges of balancing dual cultural identities.
Destiny’s struggles with self-discovery and relationships—with her
family, friends, and potential dates—make for an enjoyable
read.
Booklist,
March 4,
2010
Fourteen-year-old
Destiny Lozada sees her world turning upside down when her parents force her to
celebrate her 15th birthday with a lavish Puerto Rican–style
quinceaÜera party. Destiny does not want to disappoint her parents; she is
proud of her Latinidad, but she is not sure that she wants to switch her
skateboard for high heels or her jeans for a fancy, uncomfortable dress. Destiny
is growing and changing, but she cannot picture herself attending a religious
ceremony or having a caballero, a court and chambelanes. Will she give up her
own dreams to please her parents? Or will she stand by her sister's side and
refuse to be part of the traditional celebration? Destiny's resolution, the
engaging dialogue, boys, gossip, best friends, fashion, texting, the first kiss
and the city of New York all play a part in this charming, fresh and funny
coming-of-age novel that will entertain teen readers, especially girls.
Kirkus
Reviews, March 15, 2010
