“Though [Alvarez] brings a critical eye to long-held myths…each page is a love song to the cultural ties that bind generations of women from a diverse group of countries.”
—Chicago Sun-Times
“Fascinating, exhaustively researched.”
—The Washington Post

“Alvarez’s honest grappling with her caught-between-twocultures experience is compelling.”
—Entertainment Weekly

“A journey into experiencing a vital, exuberant ritual of modern Latino life…As an author, Alvarez is a terrific tour guide.”
—The Seattle Times

“A thorough, thoughtful, and important book. . . .Bravo, Julia Alvarez.”
—Mary Pipher, author of The Middle of Everywhere and Reviving Ophelia

“With grace and humanity, Alvarez explores the fascinating evolution of the quinceañera tradition in the United States, responding provocatively to a tradition that charms her and simultaneously clashes with feminist sensibilities.”
—Cristina Garcia, author of Dreaming in Cuban and A Handbook to Luck

“This is not just a book for Latinas. Once Upon a Quinceañera is for all of us…especially for those of us raising daughters in America today.”
—Maria Hinosa, Senior Correspondent for NOW/PBS, author of Raising Raul and Crews