Isabel's Texas Two-Step

The story opens at Boston's Logan International Airport. Thirteen-year-old Isabel is on the way to San Antonio with her older sister Maria Elena and some of Maria Elena's friends. Maria Elena is turning fifteen and about to have her Quinceañera and because of her mother's MS, her aunt is going to throw the party in Texas and this is why some of Maria Elena's friends are going. For those who don't know what it is, a Quinceañera is sort of a coming out party, a celebration for a Latina girl's fifteen birthday. It's when a girl turns into a woman. A Quinceañera can be quite an elaborate affair, sometimes rivaling the expense of a Japanese wedding and that's talking a lot of money. In short, a Quinceañera is a big deal. Isabel knows this, but is just a wee bit jealous of all the attention her sister is getting, perfectly natural for a thirteen-year-old, so she spends a lot of time observing and drawing as she's somewhat of an artist. However, Isabel just can't seem to stay out of trouble as she makes new friends, learns a bit about her heritage and most importantly about the bonds of family. This is a better than excellent book for young girls and to top it off there is a bit of adventure thrown in and maybe even a hint of some cave-hidden treasure.

Isabel is thirteen years old and has a great group of friends known as the Beacon Street Girls (BSG). When her sister Elena turns fifteen, the family has a big party known as a Quinceanera. Elena has lots of big plans, but things don't go the way she wants them too. Mrs. Martinez has multiple sclerosis (MS) and so her sister in San Antonio has volunteered to throw the quinceanera for Elena. Isabel is a part of all of this, and yet not a part; she spends as much time observing what is going on around her as she does participating. Once everyone gets to San Antonio (and it's a big party, with several of Elena's friends along), Isabel finds herself getting into one scrape after another. Isabel is an artist, and her talents bring her both joy and grief on this trip. She makes some new friends and discovers a lot about her family. Bryant has a great grasp of the social interactions, angst, and emotional upheavals that make up the life of young teenage girls. Her ability to convey life lessons without being turgid or didactic is another talent, one she uses well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, so much so that I am sending it to my nieces in Spain AND tracking down more in the series for them. This was a thoroughly delightful book.

"Isabel's Texas Two-Step" by Annie Bryant (235 pages, Aladdin Mix) is part of the Beacon Street Girls (BSG) series. Isabel Martinez and her family travel to San Antonio, Texas to visit relatives that live on a nice ranch complete with servants, expensive art, and a real rooster. The trip is not just a family vacation, but the place where her sister Elena Maria is having her Quinceanera. Isabel is not too happy because her best friends are not going with them on the flight to Texas because this is Elena Maria's adventure, so Elena Maria's friends are going. Isabel learns a lot on this trip about herself, her mother, her cousin, her Aunt and life. This is a cute, wholesome story that makes for great reading for young adults. I enjoyed the book extras: Trivialicious Trivia, Book Club Buzz, Texas Trivia, A Dilly of a Dillo, and Isabel's Spanish-English Dictionary. My recommendation for this book - BUY IT. Isabel's Texas Two-Step would make an excellent stocking stuffer gift for Christmas or for any occasion.

This is a good series for tween girls -- the characters have real reactions and speak the way girls speak -- no self-conscious use of slang to be cool, but the situations, banter and discussions feel right for modern girls. This one sends Isabel (the name of my granddaughter) to San Antonio, Texas (near where my Isabel was born) for an adventure. The Isabel in the book is a Latina, which provides many opportunities to explore Latin-American culture. The plot has a good mix of action and conversation, the moral isn't prissy, and it's written at an age-appropriate level for tweens. I know my Isabel will enjoy reading it alone and with her sisters. Since they're "average" bright American girls, I think most other girls in this age group will enjoy it as well.