Sweet 15

by Emily Adler, A.E. Roman

Shortly before her fifteenth birthday, Destiny Lozada's traditional Puerto Rican mother and feminist older sister hijack her quinceañera, each pushing her own agenda and ignoring the possibility that Destiny, a skateboarding tomboy, might have her own ideas about the coming-of-age ritual she is about to participate in.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Hispanic

240 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2009

About the author

Emily Adler was born and raised in New York City. She is a graduate of Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota and has a Masters in Theater from Hunter College, where she studied with playwright Tina Howe. Her many jobs while playwriting include: waitress, video store clerk, kosher bakery clerk, conference organizer, production assistant, preschool teacher, and ESL teacher. Her plays to date include: The Frog in the Flipper, Spiritual Playboy, and Andromeda Speaks. She is also the artistic director of a peer education theater group at a college in New Jersey and co-founder, along with Michael Joseph Smith, of Mixed Blessings Theater Company - which produced John Patrick Shanley’s Four Dogs and a Bone at the Red Room.

Reviews

[Reading Vacation · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review available on Reading Vacation blog. http://tinyurl.com/2bjh8pg

When I started this book, I knew very little about a traditional quinceanera and I was surprised by how elaborate they can be. It’s sort of like a sweet sixteen party on steroids!

Sweet 15 is a book about family dynamics and growing from a girl to a young lady. Destiny’s family-life was rather crazy, and I am sure it was a family situation that may be very real for some girls. Destiny’s mother was very controlling and her sister, America, was all about women’s rights. Destiny was more of a tomboy than anything, and she was uncomfortable with all the girlie-ness of a quinceanera. I couldn’t really relate to any of the family members or the other characters.
The actual quinceanera was spectacular and I liked the creative ways that Destiny’s family finally worked things out. Unfortunately, the book had pretty much lost my attention by the time I got to the party.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a inspiring,relate-to book for a tween/teen novel. Any low-wage family Latina who is out to speak for herself and be known can extremely relate to this book, enjoy it and call it their life story and favorite. Such a motivational book that brings out who you really are and not to hide it, and make yourself be known in a selfish world. Even if you aren't Latina, many will enjoy this book for its tween/teen humor, comic relief characters, romance, drama, and philosophic words for teens and tweens and even adults alike.

[Cavrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet 15
This story is Nonfiction.meanwhile reading the story i notice that the difference because spanish and americans have similar parties but different ages. The theme would be “everyone isn't your friend”.Sweet 15 is about a young girl name destiny L. she is just turning 15. Her tradition usually throws a big party for everyone that turns 15 which is called a “quinceanera”. The things her parents has planned and reamed of her is not herself. Destiny is always afraid to speak up though. Destiny also has a sister that the mother truly admires.destiny wants to grow up and have a show. Destiny went through alot in school she was being bothered by students all around.the sister doesn't insist that her sister gets a party because of what it actually stands for.Destiny doesn't want to be a follower.destiny ends up having the party and it is a success. I like the book because when tiI turned 16 I was so excited she was happy. But she wasn't to sure about it because she she didn't want to be a follower. This story was interesting.

[JaHira Nobles · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the book, "Sweet 15" by Emily Adler is about a girl named Destiny, who is a tomboy. I gave the story "Sweet 15" only 3 stars because the story was kind of interesting when the author talks about Destiny's quinceanera. Destiny's birthday is coming up and her mother wants to throw her a quinceanera. A quinceanera is a fancy party that is part of her tradition but Destiny is not feeling the party. Destiny wants to have a small party just with her close friends but she doesn't want to make her mother disappointed. Destiny struggles with being in the middle of the situation with the party but she is growing up, starting to flirt and learned that she has a secret admirer. I didn`t give the story a rate 5 because I didn`t like how Destiny sister and mother failed to support her.

[Christina Azalea · Rating 5 out of 5]

the book was interesting. i didn't read the book as much, but i managed to finish it and it was very intrigued

[Queena · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a girl name Destiny, who is sort of a tomboy. Her 15th birthday is coming up and her mother wants to celebrate her birthday with a quinceanera. Which means a big fancy party. it is part of her tradition but Destiny doesn't want to have a big party with people she don't even know. She wants to have a small party with just her close friends but Destiny doesn't want to disappoint her mother. On the other hand, her sister doen't want Destiny to have a quinceanera because she thinks that a woman shouldn't have to wear dresses just because of a special occasion. Now, her mother and sister are arguing about Destiny's birthday party. Destiny doen't want to disappoint them both so she would have to make a choice.
I would have to say that this book has something that can teach readers something, which is to fight for what you believe in as well as speaking up if you think that something is wrong instead of just standing there. I think that both of these messages are very important because it can help us in the real world. The book is very inspiring to thosw who want to have a chance to tell people what they think but are too afraid to say it because in the book Destiny eventually speaks up about what she wanted for her own birthday. This shows you thzat if you stand up for what you think is right or for what you want you will at least have a chance of making it happen because during Destiny's birthday she had a great time because she spoke up for what she wanted. This message in the book really got me to think and what made me think is why I think that this book is a good book.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:
Destiny is turning 15 and her parents want to throw her a quinceanera. She's not really sure that she is into that right now. She is a bit of a tomboy and just wants to ride her skateboard and be friends with everyone. Her sister finds the whole thing to be against her feminist belief system, and encourages Destiny to boycott the whole thing. After all, traditionally, this was intended to show off a new woman eligible to marry and have children, is that really what they want to do? As Destiny struggles with being in the middle of this, she is growing up. She starts to flirt a little bit and learns that she has a secret admirer. Could she really have a boyfriend? Also, her parents seemed really set on this party, but she thinks that the money would be much better off serving them elsewhere, especially after overhearing a conversation about her father possibly losing his job. Is a quinceanera really worth all of these headaches?

My thoughts:
This is a very cute novel. The characters are well developed and particularly likeable. Destiny narrates her own story with the wit of a entering high schooler. She shares her honest opinion regardless if it is popular or not. She has some sarcastic little remarks, but also ones that are not as smart as she intended them to be. All together, it is a tale about her growing up and learning more about herself and those around her. While the party is definitely a question that lingers, the reality of her life is far more interesting. This would be a great summer beach/pool read to enjoy.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really good. It teaches you to stand up for yourself and be who you want to be and don't let your family, boys or your friends change that. This book is about a girl named Destiny, she's turning 15 and her family wants her to have an extravagant quincenera. Her family are depending a lot of money on it and she doesn't like that she wants to have simple party with only friends and family. Her mom and her sister, America, are having a fight about the party through out the whole book. Her sister doesn't want her to have a party while her mom does. Also when Yasmin's comes to stay she develops a crush on him but finds out he isn't who she though he is and that he's a complete and utter jerk. Her friend Omar starts to express his feeling towards her. Her and her friends make a group to make the party her way and to make it as cheap and simple as possible. So read this book to find out what happens with her and Yasmin's cousin, her and Omar and her quincenera.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one I picked up on the fly at ALA this year, and I'm glad I did. A really well-done story focusing on the months leading up to young Destiny's "sweet 15" - her Quinceanera. I was in love with the drama and tension that existed between her family members (older sister, Mom, Dad)...and all of the love that could also be felt. But the best part of the story was was watching Destiny herself really start to "become a woman" as she learns to speak her mind, protect what's important to her (including her own happiness), and see the "truth" in the people and situations in her life. Very satisfying and quick read with a very sweet ending.

[Salsabrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Destiny Lozada's 15th birthday approaches and of course, her mother wants to plan a big, traditional quinceañera. Destiny's older sister America holds more feminist ideals and doesn't want to see Destiny caught up in an antiquated ritual. Destiny doesn't really know what she wants, but it does worry her that her parents are spending money they don't have on the quince. Not to mention that Nicolas is hot and always on her mind, and best buddy Omar is acting strangely around her. Destiny finds a way to stand up for herself and host the quince on her terms in this satisfying story about family, friends, and being true to oneself.

[Katrina J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet 15 was a great book because Destiny Lozada finally learned how to take charge.She is about to turn 15 and is going to
Have a quince. Her mom and Sister, America, start fighting about what they want for Destiny's quince.The only people on
Her side are her best friends Stephanie, Erin , and Omar. They never really asked her what she wanted. They are also running out of money and Destiny does something to save it. What will Destiny do? How can friends help? Will America and mom stop fighting? I recommend this book to girls that are 11,12, or 13. It was really good.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Destiny's mom and sister are fighting over whether Destiny should have a quinceanera when she turns 15. In all the bickering, no one thinks about asking her what she'd like. Starting high school, conflicting messages from two boys, her sister and mom fighting and rumblings of money problems, it's all too much drama for one girl! Moments of brilliance shine through in the writing especially in some of the funny scenes, but Destiny's timidity was hard to swallow. The story picked up once she started standing up for herself.

[Slizzards · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book interested me because it had a good storyline, and because at the time, I could relate to the main character.

What I didn't like was that it took me a while to read - not because it was too difficult, but because I didn't have any motivation to do so. In addition, I found that the figure of speech was a bit bothersome to read at certain parts of the story.

[Julissa Perdomo]

The story Sweet 15,by Emily Adler is a story that was not my type. But in the story Destiny, the main character, insist that she doesn't want a quincinera while her family is trying to convince her to have one. But Destiny is not into fluffy dresses and heels and tiaras. She's more into skating and skateboards.


https;//wwwgoodreads.com/review/list/46974893...

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

awezome book!!!!

[Samatha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LIKE THIS BOOK! because desteny dosent whant a sweet 15 she said is allot of work. desteny like this boy but she whant to ask hm to be his chambellan.i like evrithing of this book.

[Briana · Rating 3 out of 5]

sweet 15 is about a girl she is getting ready for her dream quinceanera and her mother is telling her what to have in her sweet 15.....

[Pooja · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far this book is good and while i am reading it the author keeps me engaged into the book.

[Liz T]

i thought the book was really addictive, every time i read it i could never put it down its a really good story .

[Jackie Gonzalez]

Review is up at The Book Nerd's Blog

[Leslye Posadas]

I think this book was really good and interesting. It was about a girl (Destiny) who has always been a tomboy but when her mom asks her that if she wants a 15 for her up coming birthday. She is not sure because her older sister (America) didn't want her mother to force Destiny to have a Quinceañera but it wasn't her sister's decision. Destiny was always hang out with her friend Omar they skateboard and hang out together. When Destiny starts to notice that she is starting to like Nicolas. Nicolas is Omar's friend and came from Philadelphia he flirts around with Destiny and she thinks about him often and she had to start looking for Chambelanes (boys that dance in the 15). But she still isn't sure that she wants one because her mother and her sister start make rules. Destiny's big day is coming up and is nervous and unsure about the big day.

[Breana Upshaw]

I feel like this book should be read because it's about a girl who was celebrating her 15th birthday which is called a quinceanera for Puerto Rican people. One day her older sister ruined it for her by pushing her agenda and ignoring a possibly that a skateboard tom boy is going to have a new idea. This book is pretty interesting so I think you should at least read the first few pages.

[Nyasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The genre of "Sweet 15" is fiction. Destiny Lozada, a 14 year old tomgirl. She sees her world turned upside down because her parents are forcing her to celebrate her 15th birthday with a quinceanera party. She doesn't want the party, she just wants to spend her day with her friends, but she doesn't want to disappoint her parents. This book was interesting because it connects with some girls now a days. Some girls are not girly and they don't like all that girly stuff like dresses, skirts, heels, and sandals. They like to wear jeans and sneakers all the time. Personally for me I'm in between, I like to dress up and look girly at times and other times I like to dress boy-ish.