Thursday, September 25, 2008

Recommend a Good Book

Anyone reading a book they just can't put down? Tell your classmates about it. I'll start...

I just read about a book called CUBA 15. Check out the summary below:

"Violet Paz knows little about her half-Cuban, half-Polish heritage. She simply feels American. So when her Cuban grandmother insists that she have the traditional Quinceanera (the celebration of Violet's 15th birthday), she is reluctant. Will she have to wear an awful ruffled dress and be put on the market for marriage? She finds that quince is instead about tradition, family and self-discovery.

CUBA 15 is a wonderful book filled with humor. Armed with "The Dummies Guide to Quinceanera," Violet learns that she can have a theater theme for her special day, a subject that's very important to her. She does not have to employ all of the old traditions, but she does use enough of them to create a magical mix of cultures with old and new traditions.

While preparing for the big event, Violet studies and writes about her family in an attempt to understand them. Her family's marathon domino games become the subject for a comedy sketch she performs for competition. She secretly participates in a rally for Cuba, inspiring great anger and division in her family, who lived among the political strife there. She also finds her first boyfriend and discovers again how valuable her two best friends are to her.

The actual event is anticlimactic but fun. CUBA 15 is a well-written novel about the journey of growing up.
" - http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/0385730217.asp

3 comments:

Bill Durbin said...

Hey FORCE-

I have a great book recommendation for all of you. The book is "Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida" by Victor Martinez. The book is about a 14 year-old boy named Manny Hernandez. Manny's father is a tough guy who works all the time. He is tough on Manny and the rest of the children.

Manny is trying to find respect in his neighborhood, and that means joining a gang. He knows this is a bad idea, but he has to figure out a way to survive. He struggles to find the right solution.

The book is written in short stories called vignettes. You will enjoy seeing how Manny deals with his problems, and you will relate to his feelings and anger. Let me know if you read it. I want to hear your ideas.

Have fun reading!

Mr. Durbin

NellaBella said...

La Fuerza!

I will recommend an excellent book for you to read to your brothers and sisters. It is called "Horton Hears a Who."

You all know how much I love Dr. Seuss!

This book is about an elephant who believes that the strong should take care of the weak. Sound familiar?

See you next time I am on campus!

Feel the FORCE!

Ms. Garcia

nmlund said...

Hey Force,

We Explorers love reading Spinelli.

"Milkweed" is an awesome historical fiction novel. It takes place during the Holocaust in Warsaw, Poland.

I'm in the middle of another Spinelli book called "Loser" and laugh every minute!

-Ms.Lund