Frontera Street

The issues are real; keeping secrets from friends, facing yourown prejudices and problems from your family and past anddeciding what to pass along to the next generation, and crossingover into a new world (crossing fronteras) emotionally,spiritually and socially. It does "explain" culturally biasedterminology but that is because it switches viewpoints so thatthe story is told from a "white" viewpoint and then from a"mexican" viewpoint and then from a Mexican-American (Chicana)teenager viewpoint and it lets you see the emotional, socialborders from many different sides. I found that the characterswere realistic in that they "think" like real people do. Theyhave faults and act on misconceptions and jump to conclusions.As for the portrayal of Hispanic Women ... there was definitelya difference in views between Alma (the somewhat traditionalMexicana who rebelled in her own youth and resented whites whomistreated her when she was a maid) and the teenage Socorro,who was struggling with how much of her white and brownbackground to bring forward into her own life.I didn't find any degrading or condescending views whichwere not included as intentional misconceptions and which arelater shown to be wrong like the "barrio/slum" thing; Also, Iknow lots of real women (white and brown) that are singleparents and struggle with how to find a companion withoutgetting hurt again. I found it to be "very real" to me.It's a great read and an excellent vehicle for discussion withanyone who's ever lived along the Texas border.

Our book club read this book and every member loved it (which is unusual for our club). You get to know the characters so well you forget they are not real. The book deals with many real life issues such as the challenges of true friendship, failures of relationships, the ups and downs of life, cultural differences, and the support of family and friends. The author draws you in to the life of characters and it is an enjoyable ride. It is one of those books that you don't want to end.

This book is a great read! On a deeper level it is about crossing all kinds of borders. Each character has prejudices to overcome and it is touching to find out how they do that. While you read the story, you get to know Dee and Alma and Socorro as funny, loving women who live in a vibrant, welcoming neighborhood. Suddenly class or color doesn't matter to them anymore. It's a great book club pick because there's plenty to talk about!

then you'll relate to Dee, newly widowed, pregnant and in search of somewhere to belong in a world that is suddenly so foreign to her. It's fitting, then, that her numb search takes her from her affluent neighborhood to work and life and a new kind of family in the barrio. I'm so happy I went along for the journey, and have found a new author to watch for.

i loved this book. it is the ultimate girl book. the relationships between these women, each strong in her own right, is the essence of friendship. i honestly couldn't put it down and was sad that it had to end. i urge everyone to buy this book and one for their best friend!