Sister Chicas

In a literary marketplace dominated by the Gossip Girls and the A-list series, where are the stories for young women for whom buying shoes and chasing boys ranks low on their list of priorities? Are there any novels in which the female leads care as much about their community, grapple with their identity, and plan for their future as they might -- if not even more so -- fitting in with the "in" crowd or finding the perfect shade of lipstick? What do such girls read when they are between the works of Nicholasa Mohr and Esmeralda Santiago? The answers to these question lie in this wonderful novel "Sister Chicas." As diverse as they are, the Sister Chicas Taina, Grachi and Leni are bonded not only by their friendship but by their intelligence and character. Like any girl their ages, they struggle with their parents' expectations, fall in love, enjoy a good time, and attempt to find their place in the world. What makes this trio unique and refreshing is that they are also smart girls. Good girls. Deep girls. And they do not apologize for it. Not all girls yield to the lure of casual sex, drug experimentation and mindless consumerism, and they can finally see themselves represented in the three heroines of "Sister Chicas."

A friend told me to read this book and I'm glad she did. I learned so much about the search for identity... the identity of girls becoming women and of Latinas trying to find their place in a culture that isn't too sure it wants to include them. I'll admit that this book also made me feel a sense of relief that I am the father of two boys and not girls... I got a clear sense of the power a father has over the self-image of a daughter whereas my sons have already learned to tune me out. The characters in this book are wonderfully distinct, a feature no doubt of the different writers behind each one. While I'm sure there are people who will identify with a particular character, I was intrigued by the facets in each which begin to feel universal by the time you get to the end. By the way, love the glossary in the back!

I thoroughly enjoyed this coming-of-age tale about three young Latin women. Taina, Graciela, and Leni are well-drawn, diverse characters with unique and fascinating voices that tell the story of Taina's upcoming Sweet Fifteen party. Through their eyes, the reader learns about their individual backgrounds, their dreams, and their love for each other. We experience their fears as they encounter attractive young men and the disapproval of their parents, and we cheer with them as they achieve independence and a sense of self enviable to all. At the end of the story, I had tears in my eyes, wanting to continue on in the journey with these three special ladies. Kudos to the three authors for writing such an engrossing and heartwarming story. The glossary in the back of the book was most helpful for learning Spanish phrases used in the text, and I also enjoyed reading the recipes included. I feel that I learned a great deal about Latin culture by reading this book, but I also feel that "Sister Chicas" transcends any genre of literature in the way it portrays love, family, and friendship. Go read it for yourself -- you will feel uplifted.

This book takes me to a place and time I would love to be and certainly would have loved to have been when I was child. Although I could relate to all of the characters and have met my share of the three girls in my lifetime, Taina was really the one I felt a bond with. I think that all readers will find one character that they most meld with throughout the read. That is what is so wonderful about Sister Chicas, the flow and the feel of actually being or wanting to be a part of the characters' lives. It is hard to believe that there are actually three separate authors. Jane E. Alberdeston Coralin, Lisa Alvarado and Ann Hagman Cardinal - whom ALL deserve credit for this work. Brilliant, talented writers. They left me wanting more. The literary world could certainly use more refreshing stories like this one! Out of 5 stars - I give it a 6.

As a librarian, I'm familiar with the landscape of Young Adult fiction. "Sister Chicas" is just the kind of book that young women today enjoy -- a real story about real girls, girls like them, girls they know. The Amero-Latina perspective is fascinating, but it's honestly just a good, accessible story -- one that all young women could relate to. Family duty, identity, goals and dreams -- I truly hope this book receives widespread publicity, because I think any young person (or not so young person) who reads it will enjoy it.