Taina's turning fifteen-and is so dreading her Pepto-pink quinceañera, her Sweet Fifteen.What about her secret Jamaican artist boyfriend? Should she let Mamichoose her escort, or follow her heart-and ignite a family riot? Grachimust choose between being the good Chicana-and grabbing la oportunidad de la vida. Now she needs her Sister Chicas more than ever... Leni's the rebel-with a punk style and an attitude to go with it. But as she tries to make sense of her roots with her Chicas, her life gets more complicated, especially when her childhood friend turns into a handsome rockero... And even though Taina,Grachi, and Leni don't always agree on things-like boys, clothes, and music-nothing gets in the way of their friendship. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Three different women--Alvarado, Ann Hagman Cardinal, and Jane Alberdeston Coralin--each writing about a different character, authored this story of contemporary young Latinas who, despite their differences, have become fiercely devoted friends. Graciela, whose parents were professors in Mexico and factory workers in the U.S., yearns to be a writer; Taina, dressed in prim outfits, struggles to appease her strict Puerto Rican mother; Leni, who loves to photograph fans at punk clubs, lives with her Anglo mother and envies her gorgeous Puerto Rican cousins. All three met while working on the newspaper at their Chicago high school, and as their friendship deepens, they help each other through the turbulence of first love, Quinceaneras, and new opportunities that force them to redefine their relationships with their parents and each other. The chapters don't always knit together smoothly, but the vividly detailed portraits of contemporary teen girls, and their questions about family, guys, or what it means to be a Latina are bright and captivating. Buy copies for both the adult and teen sections, since this is sure to be a crossover. --Gillian Engberg Copyright 2006 Booklist From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.