Lisa Alvarado, Ann Hagman Cardinal and Jane Albere, Sister Chicas

Sister Chicas

Lisa Alvarado, Ann Hagman Cardinal and Jane Albereston Coralin

NAL, Apr 2006, $12.95, 288 pp.

ISBN: 0451217705

Taina Moscoso, Graciela Villalobos, and Elena O'Malley-Diaz are young teens who meet once a week at El Rinconcito del Sabor restaurant to share their confidences with one another. They consider themselves the SISTER CHICAS.

Taina hides much of her life from her family, especially her over-protective mother who would have a heart attack if she knew about the weekly bus trip to meet with her "sisters" or her Jamaican artist boyfriend Yusef. Now she must choose to either let him escort her to her Sweet Fifteen gala and cause a family civil war or anger him by letting someone more acceptable do so.

Grachi also has men problems, as her best friend outside of the Sister Chicas Jack suddenly looks so fine. However, she fears if she acts like she wants him she could lose a close pal, but if she does not she could lose more.

Leni has male issues too, starting with her roots. However, it is Carlos the musician, whom she has known since she was six years old, who she suddenly sees in a different light that causes her the most consternation.

The three SISTER CHICAS need each other to make sense of a world suddenly filled with testosterone, that seems wonderful yet off kilter.

Rotating perspective enables the reader to see the same incident from three different viewpoints. This technique works and adds to the teenage buddy tale, so much so the audience wants to join the SISTER CHICAS exclusive club. The threesome are unique in their own ways, though they share a strong friendship bond and have male woes. The addition of an ethnicity glossary augments the fun of a delightful teen sisterhood chick lit tale.