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5th out of 25 books
—
5 voters
Cuba 15
by
Nancy Osa
Violet Paz has just turned 15, a pivotal birthday in the eyes of her Cuban grandmother. Fifteen is the age when a girl enters womanhood, traditionally celebrating the occasion with a quinceañero. But while Violet is half Cuban, she’s also half Polish, and more importantly, she feels 100% American. Except for her zany family’s passion for playing dominoes, smoking cigars, a...more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
March 8th 2005
by Ember
(first published June 10th 2003)
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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...more
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 spee...more
When I asked my wife how she liked Cuba 15, she told me it was cute, but that it was maybe too girly for me. I told her that if I could read Little Women, then nothing was too girly for me. Actually, I figured that since I liked The House on Mango Street and How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accent, then I would probably like this book too. I was right. I finished it in two sittings.
Violet Paz is half Cuban American and Polish American, but she thinks of herself as simply American. But then her gr...more
Violet Paz is half Cuban American and Polish American, but she thinks of herself as simply American. But then her gr...more
This is a humorous book centered around a girl living in Chicago who is turning 15. Her grandmother is determined she will have a traditional Hispanic quince with a court and frilly dress.The plots become entwined with Violet's involvement in a public speaking team at school, her impending quince and her fascination with her father's home of Cuba. She is even more intrigued by Cuba when her father refuses to talk about his heritage. This curiousity gets Violet in trouble near the end of the book...more
Cuba 15, by Nancy Osa, is about a girl named Violet Paz who is half Cuban and half Polish. She struggles to get more in touch with her Cuban side, after being exposed to the American culture. When her grandmother, who is Cuban, wants her to have a Quinceanera. A Quinceanera is a party, Sort of like a sweet sixteen, that Cuban girls have when they reach the age of 15, which is the age that a girl reaches womanhood, and becomes self reliant. While they start their preparation for the party, Violet...more
Cuba 15 by Nancy Osa is a story about Violet Paz who is half Cuban half Polish. Her grandmother insists that Violet will have a Quinceanero which is a cuban celebration for a girls 15th birthday. The age when a girl enters womanhood. In Violet's circle of friends no one has had this type of celebration. Despite being of mixed backgrounds, Violet feels completely American, so she does not want to have a Quinceanero. She even thinks about how much she will dislike standing up infront of everyone...more
Love love loved this book! Violet Paz is a half-Cuban, half-Polish high school sophomore growing up in the suburbs of Chicago. When her Abuela visits from Miami and tells Violet that she wants to throw her granddaughter a quinceanero party, Violet doesn't know what she's talking about, but she knows two things for sure: she doesn't wear dresses, and she hates being in the spotlight. Over the coming weeks and months, Violet learns about her Cuban heritage, an oft silenced topic in her household,...more
I read this book for potential inclusion in our middle school curriculum.
Violet Paz lives in the Chicago suburbs and feels little connection with her Cuban roots. She knows no Spanish, and her father never speaks of his childhood in Cuba. When Violet’s grandmother suggests a traditional quinceanero party in honor of Violet’s fifteenth birthday, she reacts with dread rather than excitement.
The book follows Violet through her sophomore year of high school, as she plans her quince party and reache...more
Violet Paz lives in the Chicago suburbs and feels little connection with her Cuban roots. She knows no Spanish, and her father never speaks of his childhood in Cuba. When Violet’s grandmother suggests a traditional quinceanero party in honor of Violet’s fifteenth birthday, she reacts with dread rather than excitement.
The book follows Violet through her sophomore year of high school, as she plans her quince party and reache...more
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The book Cuba 15 is about a girl named Violet Paz, and she doesn't know a lot about her half-Cuban and half-Polish heritage. She feels as though she is an American. Her Cuban grandmother wants her to have the traditional Quinceanera. While preparing for the Quinceanera, Violet researches and writes about her family so she will understand about her heritage better. Violet's main internal conflict is she doesn't know if she should have a quinceanera. Milly's main external conflict is she doesn't k...more
Violet Paz is both half cuban and polish. While she is a blend of the two, she feels less towards being cuban. Her family decides to give her a Quince party to celebrate her 17th birthday. She must learn the ways of being cuban by learning spanish and such.
I feel as if I can relate to Violet. We both face having to deal with learning new things we do not desire to learn. I don't want to learn any other kind of language than english, but must take a spanish class like Violet does.
I would give C...more
I feel as if I can relate to Violet. We both face having to deal with learning new things we do not desire to learn. I don't want to learn any other kind of language than english, but must take a spanish class like Violet does.
I would give C...more
Cuba 15 is a book about a girl called Violet Paz- she is half Cuban, half Polish and feels 100% American, but doesn't really know anything about her culture. Now- when she is going to turn fifteen her grandmother wants her to have a quinceanero party. This party is celebrated at the fifteenth birthday of a girl and it is when the girl becomes a woman. At first Violet doesn't like the idea because she will have to wear a big pink dress. However, when she accepts the party she starts asking quest...more
Violet Paz is a typical American fifteen-year-old girl. Her Cuban grandmother suggests that she have a quinceanero to celebrate her womanhood. At first, Violet doesn't want to have anything to do with it. But she realizes its importance to her family and agrees to the party as long as she can be in charge and do it her way. Along the way, Violet and her friends join the speech team. She uses her own multicultural family as fodder for her comedy routine. She also learns more about her family's Cu...more
I read the book Cuba 15 by Nancy Osa. This book takes place in modern day Chicago, mostly in September, although around the end it jumps to May.
This book is in first person point of view. The main character is Violet Paz. Violet is a sophomore in high school and is a little uncomfortable with herself. She is part of the speech team at her school.
Violet’s grandmother comes to visit Violet for her birthday and insists that she have a quincearno (a party for Hispanic girls who are turning fifteen)...more
This book is in first person point of view. The main character is Violet Paz. Violet is a sophomore in high school and is a little uncomfortable with herself. She is part of the speech team at her school.
Violet’s grandmother comes to visit Violet for her birthday and insists that she have a quincearno (a party for Hispanic girls who are turning fifteen)...more
Violet Paz is a young Latina living in Chicago with her family. Her abuela from Miami wants to throw her a quinceanero, and the book deals with preparations and traditions involved in the party. It was a little walk into Hispanic culture, complete with Spanish phrases thrown in for authenticity.
I chose this book because it had won the Pura Belpre Award. I enjoyed all of it. The author made the characters seem real, and there were several times in the book when I felt as if I was actually inside...more
I chose this book because it had won the Pura Belpre Award. I enjoyed all of it. The author made the characters seem real, and there were several times in the book when I felt as if I was actually inside...more
Cuba 15 by Nancy Osa is about a girl named Violet. Violet is turning 15 and her Grandmother wants to throw her a quincenero. Violet doesn't really know if she wants to. She is half Cuban and half Polish and she doesn't know much about her roots. She is pretty nervous about the whole thing.
My connection si to Violet. She is really nervous about having a quincenero. She doesn't know is she should go through with it. I felt the same way when i had to have a bar mitzvah.
I would give this book three...more
My connection si to Violet. She is really nervous about having a quincenero. She doesn't know is she should go through with it. I felt the same way when i had to have a bar mitzvah.
I would give this book three...more
Jun 07, 2010
Audrey
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
realistic-fiction,
comedy,
ethnicity-race,
lesson-to-be-learned,
liked-it,
romance,
teen,
tween
This book was amazingly good! Cuba 15 is about a half Cuban girl, who has just turned 15. Her Abuelita wants her to have the traditional cuban ceremony of a quincenera. The girl doesen't really want to do it, but through all of the troubles and preperations, she not only builds a stronger bond with her family, but she discovers that the quince is not that bad of an idea. But this book is not only about the quincenera, but also about her going through her teen years. Boys, drama club, high school...more
Violet Paz is half polish/half cuban: she is turing 15-in Cuba they celebrate a girls womanhood with a quinceanaro. Since she lives in Chicago, Violet is unfamiliar w/the traditions of Cuba, but her Abuela insists on this celebration where Violet must wear a fancy dress, she hasn't worn since parachalial school. She doesn't know how to dance, she must dance the first dance with her father-who doesn't know how to either. After reading Quincenos for the Gringo Denny and input from her Aunt Tia, Vi...more
Nancy Osa received the Pura Belpre Honor Book Award in 2004 for her narrative in the book, Cuba 15. This book is about a fifteen-year-old girl that does not want to wear a “Pepto Bismol” color dress, wear a tiara, and have a quinceanero. Her Cuban grandmother tells her that it is part of her heritage and tradition for a young girl coming of age. This all American girl who is fifty percent Polish-American and fifty percent Cuban-American doesn’t want one. The strong narrative makes this book a de...more
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 w...more
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 w...more
In this book, it talks bout how every girl wants there
15 anos.
Having your 15 it aint that easy
because you need the money and lots of help too.
And more into it the 15 girl always wants everything to be just right.
It aint easy for the family.
In cuba 15,
it talks bout this girl
15.
She wants a party of a life time.
she wants every thing to be just fine.
but her mom and dad, want her to do it
in her own way.
Meaning that her mom and dad want to do it in cuban way.
they do it in a different way then...more
15 anos.
Having your 15 it aint that easy
because you need the money and lots of help too.
And more into it the 15 girl always wants everything to be just right.
It aint easy for the family.
In cuba 15,
it talks bout this girl
15.
She wants a party of a life time.
she wants every thing to be just fine.
but her mom and dad, want her to do it
in her own way.
Meaning that her mom and dad want to do it in cuban way.
they do it in a different way then...more
Reviewed by Mark Frye, author and reviewer for TeensReadToo.com
Violet Paz gives little thought to her ethnicity. She's half-Cuban and half-Polish, but all American. She takes her father's roots for granted, even if her crazy relatives are always visiting for mega-Domino tournaments and zany cookouts. But when her grandmother and parents insist that she participate in her "quince," she is forced into a reluctant and embarrassed embrace with an "old world" tradition.
This debut novel masterfully a...more
Violet Paz gives little thought to her ethnicity. She's half-Cuban and half-Polish, but all American. She takes her father's roots for granted, even if her crazy relatives are always visiting for mega-Domino tournaments and zany cookouts. But when her grandmother and parents insist that she participate in her "quince," she is forced into a reluctant and embarrassed embrace with an "old world" tradition.
This debut novel masterfully a...more
Three and a half stars is about right. Terrific story - lots of information about bicultural families, a bit slow in parts. Ages 12-14 is most appropriate for this book but it's a good, solid read for those who enjoy contemporary family and teen stories. The Cuban father and the American mother are firm and loving and wacky, a welcome change from so many of the teen angst books with dysfunctional or non-existent parents. This book is also completely free of violence, swearing, and any inappropri...more
This was a cute book about a thouroughly Americanized half Cuban/half Polish girl whose family wants her to embrace some of her Cuban roots. I thought it showed pretty accurately how many mixed race kids are often taught to ignore their white side as not having a culture. It also showed the difficulty of refugees assimilating to America and was a good portrait of friendship, although the praise of Che Geuverra, who murdered millions of people was nauseating. No one teaches that side of the story...more
I read this as part of my Grade 4-8 reading list. It was a nice book for young students, especially since it is set in Chicago, which is close to Milwaukee. The writing is well done. It incorporates Spanish words and would be great for bilingual students looking for books that incorporate their culture into the story. The character-types are dated, in that they do not feel timeless or particularly of the post-2000s, yet the story was published post-2000, according to the copyright in my book. It...more
Cuba 15 reminded me of a 15-year-old version of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," with a quinceanera instead of a wedding. It was entertaining, with a relatable premise, but to be perfectly honest the jokes weren't all that funny, and the writing seemed a little perfunctory at times. I was happy to find that it didn't include much swearing, which gets tiresome after a while. Overall, it wasn't a waste of time to read, but I think I could've found something better.
Personal narrative. Violet Paz has just turned 15. 15 is the age when a girl enters womanhood, celebrated with a quinceañero. But while violet may be half cuban shes also half polish; but she feels 100% American. So when she begrudgingly accepts abuela's plans for a quinceañero-and as she begins to ask questions about her Cuban roots-cultures collide and feelings collide in this thought-provoking and humorous novel.
Dec 10, 2008
Axli
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
friends
Recommended to Axli by:
the librarian
This book is one of my favorite I read it to my little sister last year because she needed to find something to write on for a shool project and i read the book to her and she told me she was going to relate the way we strugle in school wene you come to live in a different place were you dont belong. I personaly realy like this book and recomended to everyone who comes from another county.
A little slow-paced, but with an engaging narrator who feels like a real teen.
Violeta Paz is half Cuban, but she doesn't speak Spanish and doesn't know much about her heritage. That all changes when her Abuela announces that she plans to throw a quinceañero for her granddaughter. Like any big celebration, the party divides and unites the family and is, in itself, a journey of self-discovery.
Violeta Paz is half Cuban, but she doesn't speak Spanish and doesn't know much about her heritage. That all changes when her Abuela announces that she plans to throw a quinceañero for her granddaughter. Like any big celebration, the party divides and unites the family and is, in itself, a journey of self-discovery.
As a Puerto Rican and Spanish teacher in the state of Florida, I find this book simple and refreshing. It has taken me back to that world of Hispanic traditions that we tend to forget as we spend our lives away from our roots. Learn about the famous "Quinceañero", the truly big and all-out celebration of a young lady's fifteenth birthday. Great for young readers, mainly "tweens".
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Sep 25, 2010 09:56am
Jun 08, 2011 11:22am