No comments about Gloria Estefan: Singing Sensation (Fact Finders).

1 comments about Pop Goes Latin.

1. Nancy Krulik's "Pop Goes Latin!", written for a young adult audience, is meant to be a brief intro to the contemporary Latin music scene. To that end the book contains a short introduction, along with profiles of 11 acts: Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, Marc Anthony, C Note, Christina Aguilera, Chayanne, Elvis Crespo, Luis Miguel, Carlos Ponce, and Shakira.

   To her credit, Krulik does pack a lot of essential information--discographies, television and movie appearances, biographical data--into each of the brief (between 6 and 25 pages each) profiles.

   However, the book's main weakness is its selective nature. Krulik has chosen to profile only a handful of Latin artists, and I wonder why she selected these 11. I have nothing against C Note, for example, but they had only released a single album at the time this book appeared. There are a number of contemporary Latin acts who have been around longer and who had already produced 2, 3, or more fine albums by the time of this book's publication. Why, for example, was Frankie Negron not included? Or Jerry Rivera? Servando y Florentino? Leo Vanelli? Cesar Borja? Charlie Zaa? Each of these acts has the "youth appeal" which would have made their appearance in this book appropriate.

   And while the book is informative and well-written as a whole, the author's frequent lapses into "teenybopper style" language will surely annoy older or more literate readers. In particular, I found her overuse of exclamation points to be distracting.

   These criticisms aside, "Pop Goes Latin" is a good introduction to the eleven acts profiled. But as an introduction to the Latin music scene as a whole, it is insufficient.

1 comments about Selena: The Queen of Tejano (Reaching for the Stars).

1. I think that Selena is the best Tejano singer in the world. I think she is the best Singer now in 1999 even if she's not here.I am still dreaming of her. She makes me cry everytime i see the movie. That's why my mom never let's me watch it anymore i saw her movie like 29 times. Selena is the best singer and she is beautiful. I love the song Dreaming Of You cause that's when her last memories were and she said that's her favorite song to. I also like Where Did The Feeling Go because it is such a beautiful strong song. I like Biddi Biddi Bom Bom and more i also like her faimly they are very good for supporting her. I would love the family to be happy again Selena's faimly. She is the best Mexican American ever.

2 comments about Angels Along My Path of Thorns: An Autobiography.

1. Folgar de Shea's detailed account of the trials and tribulations of her life in sexist and racist rural Guatemala is a testament to the struggles and survival of women worldwide. Gabriela details her childhood and forced entrance into adulthood by a society that deems her unworthy of education, independence, and basic human rights. Her descriptive storytelling takes the reader into a world of patriarchy and power, inequality and racism, and finally, escape and triumph. Moreover though, no matter what society and culture, her story is universal, one of oppression and coercion that takes years of strength and resolve to overcome. Her writing reveals the everyday world of Guatemala and how oppression reaches all members of Guatemalan society crossing race, class, and gender lines. For anyone interested in Guatemala, human rights, women's rights, ethnic identity, race/class/gender, Maya and Ladino, and survivors of rape and violence, this is an engaging and true testimony to the victims of systemic violence, sexism, and racism that keeps all members of society slave to the structures of repression. Gabriela Folgar de Shea's book illustrates the power of the human spirit and gives testimony to survival, hope, and perseverance.



2. This is an inspirational story of one young woman's perseverance to overcome insurmountable obstacles, many of which were life-threatening, through unrelenting courage and determination. Not only did Gabriela A. Folgar de Shea survive being kidnapped, raped and forced to marry her abductor but she also had to struggle with all her willpower to survive medical complications from her abuse, complete her education and go on to make a life for herself. Through her ordeals, when all hope seemed to be lost, angels in the guise of good Samaritans came along and help to propel her on the success she so richly deserved. Written with such clear and concise prose and embellished with many photos and maps pertaining to the story, the reader feels as if they are sitting with the author and receiving a lesson on women's lifestyle in the Guatemalan society.

No comments about Jose Canseco (Contemporary Hispanic Americans).

No comments about George Lopez: Comediante Y Estrella De TV / Comedian and TV Star (Latinos Famosos / Famous Latinos).

No comments about Saint Germain, El Maestro Ascendido.

No comments about Cameron Diaz (Latinos in the Limelight).

3 comments about Selena Perez: Queen of Tejano Music (Great Hispanics of Our Time).

1. This is a wonderful book for hispanic students or students learning about different cultures. It includes great pictures and factual information in a non-threatening way. Great addition to personal library.



2. Coming up on the 5th anniversary with Selena's death, we have time to reflect on her life and the story of her struggle. It is appropriate that her memory is still everywhere. Selena's trajectory and her impact in the Tex-Mex world is demonstrated in the interesting "Billboard Guide to Tejano and regional Mexican Music," on Billboard Books. Selena was only one of several rising stars which helped change the market



3. the reason i read the book because her life was a really bad and they event teake care ver well they even have security like all kind of artist right know i thikn if she you even die her concert will be continu thats my opinio so i miss her so much that was my fan.

1 comments about Thirteen Tangos for Stravinsky.

1. Catholic Library World reviews in March 2001:

   This moving collection of memoirs, told in thirteen stories, each a dance in time and space, recounts the author's turbulent journey from Costa Rica to Los Angeles and the painful challenges facing an immigrant youngster in the 30s and 40s, a period that still retained some innocence. Cardona-Hine's coming-of-age story reveals a boy's first experiences with English, his infatuations with American girls, and the pain of high school bullying and otherness. After Pearl Harbor, the family flees to Mexico, seeking a home, wanting to belong somewhere. Feeling more alone there than in California, they return to the United States where they rent an apartment in their home to a series of pathetic individuals: Jews escaping from Europe, a young couple in love who fall out of love, a Frenchman who dies upon learning of the taking of Paris. Surrounded by people experiencing human tragedies, but living in the warmth and fruitfulness of California,they manage to survive.

   Beautifully written poetry in prose form, Cardona-Hine's delightful reminiscences make the reader pause to admire unexpected combinations of words and images. This is a book to read slowly and to savor. Belonging to the genre of memoir and bildungsroman, this series of stream-of-consciousness meanderings through a time gone by, creates a mood that only approximates reality.