Surprising Cecilia

by Denise Gonzales Abraham, Susan Gonzales Abraham

Surprising Cecilia is the second novel—following the success of Cecilia’s Year —about a girl whose dreams carry her far beyond the small farm community she lives in. Both novels are set in the rich Hispanic culture of the Rio Grande Valley in the 1930s. Cecilia has worked hard so that she can go to high school. Now it’s September—the school bus is bringing Cecilia to the new adventures, surprises, and responsibilities of growing up. Susan Gonzales Abraham and Denise Gonzales Abraham are the daughters of Cecilia Gonzales Abraham, the hero of the Cecilia books. Cecilia’s Year has been selected as the Best Book for Young Adults in 2004 by the Texas Institute of Letters.

Genres: Fiction

216 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2005

Reviews

[Salsabrarian]

Sequel to "Cecilia's Year." In 1930s rural New Mexico, Cecilia happily begins her first year in high school with her cousin Belle. She loves school and reading but must balance them with her many responsibilities at home, especially given that Mama appears not to support her dreams of obtaining an education and someday working in the city. Among the other major events in her life this year: Mama gives birth to twins only to lose one to whooping cough; Tia Sara gets married; and the Gonzalez family takes in a migrating Oklahoma family that is down on its luck. Cecilia also pines for classmate Johnny Tafoya who has been out of touch since leaving for El Paso. Another wholesome, positive entry in a planned trilogy.