Almost a woman /
Santiago, Esmeralda.
Almost a woman / Esmeralda Santiago. - 1st Vintage Books ed. - New York : Vintage Books, 1999. - xiv, 314 p. : ill. ; 21 cm.
Continues: When I was Puerto Rican; continued by: The Turkish lover.
"Negi," as the author's family affectionately calls her, leaves rural Macun in 1961 to live in a three-bedroom tenement apartment with seven siblings, an inquisitive grandmother, & a strict mother who won't allow her to date. At thirteen, Negi yearns for her own bed, privacy, & her father, who remains in Puerto Rico. Translating for Mami at the welfare office in the morning, starring as Cleopatra at New York's Performing Arts High School in the afternoon, & dancing salsa all night, she also seeks to find balance between being American & Puerto Rican. When Negi defies her mother by going on a series of dates, she finds the independence brings challenges. At one a universally poignant coming-of-age tale & a heartfelt immigrant's story, this book is the author's journey into womanhood.
037570521X 9780375705212
99025592
Santiago, Esmeralda--Childhood and youth.
Puerto Rican women--New York (State)--New York--Biography.
Puerto Ricans--New York (State)--New York--Biography.
New York (N.Y.)--Biography.
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)--Biography.
F128.9.P85 / S267 1999
Almost a woman / Esmeralda Santiago. - 1st Vintage Books ed. - New York : Vintage Books, 1999. - xiv, 314 p. : ill. ; 21 cm.
Continues: When I was Puerto Rican; continued by: The Turkish lover.
"Negi," as the author's family affectionately calls her, leaves rural Macun in 1961 to live in a three-bedroom tenement apartment with seven siblings, an inquisitive grandmother, & a strict mother who won't allow her to date. At thirteen, Negi yearns for her own bed, privacy, & her father, who remains in Puerto Rico. Translating for Mami at the welfare office in the morning, starring as Cleopatra at New York's Performing Arts High School in the afternoon, & dancing salsa all night, she also seeks to find balance between being American & Puerto Rican. When Negi defies her mother by going on a series of dates, she finds the independence brings challenges. At one a universally poignant coming-of-age tale & a heartfelt immigrant's story, this book is the author's journey into womanhood.
037570521X 9780375705212
99025592
Santiago, Esmeralda--Childhood and youth.
Puerto Rican women--New York (State)--New York--Biography.
Puerto Ricans--New York (State)--New York--Biography.
New York (N.Y.)--Biography.
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)--Biography.
F128.9.P85 / S267 1999