For me, this book was ok. I've heard that it is based largely on the author's personal experience, and therefore the details of the story are, I'm sure, entirely unique. It's one of several smart-kid-from-the-bad-neighborhood-goes-to-private-school-and-learns-to-love-her-culture stories that my students just love, love, love. In fact, the 8th grade girls at my school can't get enough of this book, which is a great recommendation for it. I found it a little less compelling probably because I've read Cuba 15, which is quite a similar story. It's also a bit like the movie Real Women Have Curves, in the sense that the girl is trying to find her way in two different worlds. ( )

Estrella is about to turn 15. Her mother and aunt are feverishly planning her quinceanera, a party that Estrella dreads. She would much rather leave behind the old Estrella of the barrio and celebrate with her new friends at the private school she attends on scholarship. She reconnects with a boy from her childhood and falls for him but between her father and her private-school friends, she conceals her friendship with Speedy. Caught between her new school life and the familiarity of the barrio, Estrella learns that pleasing everyone isn't as important as standing up for herself.

This is a YA book that my Mexican American students loved. It's good, if you're a 14-year old Mexican American girl. ( )

Estrella is about to turn 15 and while she doesn't want a big quinceanera, it is a HUGE deal to her mother and aunt. She's torn between her private school life and her life in the barrio. The split in her life reminded me a bit of Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Cute, light, happy coming-of-age story. ( )

This is just a light-hearted book about a young (15 year-old) Mexican girl (Estrella) who is coming to grips with her identity. She feels like she lives in the barrio with the typical "from the homeland" parents, but she attends a posh "white" high school on academic scholarship. She battles over who she is and who she thinks she wants to be as the two cultures in her life come together. I believe the book would be enjoyed by most young latina girls. It personally left me feeling good about myself and who I am.