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Cecilia's Year
Fourteen-year old Maria Cecilia Gonzales is a dreamer. Her books carry her far away, beyond the purple and blue mountains of the farm community she lives in—to high school and then on to a job in the big city. As Cecilia struggles to fulfill her goals, she experiences a deep appreciation for her family and the first tender feelings of romantic love.
Susan and Denise Gonzales Abraham have woven the story of Cecilia’s dreams into the months of the year, the land and the crops, and the routine life on a farm.
Susan and Denise Gonzales Abraham have woven the story of Cecilia’s dreams into the months of the year, the land and the crops, and the routine life on a farm.
- GenresYoung Adult
210 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2004
2 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 6, 2018
Great book 5 STARS
May 21, 2014
We forget how difficult it was for so many women to get any sort of education just a generation or two ago. Cecilia, growing up on a New Mexico farm in the 1930's, wants more than anything to go to high school. Her mother sees that as useless--8th grade is enough education and Cecilia needs to learn how to be a good farm housewife and mother.
This is an biographical novel based on the life of the authors' mother, Cecilia Gonzales, who grew up in Derry, New Mexico. It's an account of her 8th grade year, month by month, with a lot of details about Cecilia hopes and dreams but also of what her life, and her family's life, was like. All the kids went to a 1-room school house and had endless chores and family and religious responsibilities but they all found ways to enjoy life, to cherish each other, and to look forward to their futures.
Probably 4th grade level, girls, especially those interested in Hispanic culture and history.
This is an biographical novel based on the life of the authors' mother, Cecilia Gonzales, who grew up in Derry, New Mexico. It's an account of her 8th grade year, month by month, with a lot of details about Cecilia hopes and dreams but also of what her life, and her family's life, was like. All the kids went to a 1-room school house and had endless chores and family and religious responsibilities but they all found ways to enjoy life, to cherish each other, and to look forward to their futures.
Probably 4th grade level, girls, especially those interested in Hispanic culture and history.
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February 4, 2016A wholesome story reminiscent of "Little House" that offers a sense of time, place and culture. The author's mother is portrayed at age 14. She lives in rural New Mexico on a farm headed by her stern and practical mother, soft-hearted father and Tia Sara. Besides school Cecelia loves getting lost in a book much to the consternation of Mama who would rather have her not attend high school next year and instead learn to be a good wife and run a farm. Cecelia longs to attend high school and then move to the big city to work in an office. Even with the encouragement of Tia Sara and teacher Miss Malone she isn't sure Mama will relent.
July 11, 2022
A youth book on the 2010 UMW reading program list. This is a nostalgic recount of the author's mother's life on a New Mexico farm. Cecilia dreams of going to high school so she can financially help out her family. The writing is not particularly sophisticated, but the book gives wonderful description of life in a simpler time and place.
March 9, 2008
A good book about following your dreams !
May 14, 2010
Good story, but too many details, gets a bit dry
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews