QUINCEAÑERA

The artful blend of photography and text combine to provide a poignant glimpse into the lives of two young Latina women, Cindy Chavez and Suzan Preito, as they ceremoniously enter adulthood. King (The Pumpkin Patch, 1990, etc.) chronicles the preparations leading up to two girls’ quincea§eras, a coming-of-age ceremony that takes place around a girl’s 15th birthday. She skillfully conveys both the excitement and solemnity of the occasion, examining the many details involved in such an event: the significance of the vestido, or dress, pastel (cake), and recuerdos (mementos); the mastering of the steps of the vals (waltz); choosing a church for the Mass. The candid full-color images explore the moments that define such an event—from a barely patient younger brother waiting in the car to spectacular shots of the exquisite interior of the mission where the Mass is said. Readers realize, through the narrative and photography, that the families put considerable care and love into this rite of passage. With plenty of historical background, and also available in Spanish (0-525-45844-1), this has appeal for a wide audience. (Nonfiction. 10-15)