Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz

June 1, 2009
Acostas lively and perceptive debut centers on the Ruiz family of San Antonio: Ana, an administrative assistant at the university; Esteban, from whom she is separated; and their children, Carmen and Diego. Carmen is 14, and Ana sees a quinceaeracelebration as a way to heal the growing division between them since she asked Esteban to move out. His infidelities have been kept secret from Carmen, and she holds her mother responsible for the split. With help from friends and family, Ana makes her way through the overabundance of quinceaera rituals involving bakers, jewelers, caterers, evening-gown boutiques, stylists, makeup artists, florists, and limo services, finally settling on a simple but meaningful occasion. But beneathall the hoopla, Acosta empathicallycaptures the innermost feelings of her characters, including Carmen, who feels abandoned by her father; Diego, who senses the truth; and Ana herself, struggling to be not only a good mother but also a woman strong enough to tackle the next phase of her life. An engaging debut, with more Quinceaera Club novels to come.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)