Cuba 15

Cuba 15 (2003) American author Nancy Osa’s debut young-adult novel. Set in Chicago, Illinois, the story revolves around Violet Paz, a shy and unpopular American schoolgirl of Cuban and Polish descent. When Violet’s grandparents arrive from Florida, they want Violet to celebrate a traditional quinceanera, a coming-of-age ritual that signifies womanhood. However, Violet, who considers herself American, would rather formulate her own independent idea of selfhood than comply with old traditions. When She reluctantly agrees to a quinceanera, her close-minded attitude toward her Cuban roots open up and she accepts her heritage. Cuba 15 won several awards, including A Pura Belpre Honor Book, ALA Notable Book, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, A Booklist Top Ten Youth First Novels, and The Delacorte Press Prize for a First Young Adult Novel. Kirkus Reviews praised as “a funny and tender chronicle of Violet’s fifteenth birthday…has heart and humor” by, and Booklist wrote,“Violet’s hilarious cool first-person narrative veers between farce and tenderness, denial and truth.”

Narrated in the first person perspective by female protagonist Violet Paz, the story begins in contemporary Chicago, Illinois. Violet is a Cuban-Polish American girl who recently turned fifteen years old. She has a shy and quiet demeanor, which makes her unpopular at school. Violet lives with her Polish mother, a bargainer, and her Cuban father, Albert, who enjoys saving his money and has vowed never to speak about his past in Cuba since fleeing the country at age seven. Violet also lives with her little brother, Mark, who gradually becomes upset over the attention Violet receives for her potential quinceanera, a coming-of-age ceremony for a Latin American girl’s fifteenth birthday. However, knowing little about quinceaneras (quinces) and her Cuban heritage, Violet would rather act like a typical American teenager. Violet spends her free time hanging out with her best friends, Janell, whom she has known since grade school, and Leda, whom she met at a peace rally.

When Violet is told by her abeulo and abeula (grandfather and grandmother) that they plan to travel from Miami to Chicago to throw their only granddaughter a quince, Violet is not happy. She does not want a birthday celebration and certainly doesn’t want a quince, as she knows too little about Latin American culture to care much about such a rich tradition. Violet also loathes the idea of wearing a pink tutu-dress and tiara, the traditional garb worn during a quince. Additionally, Violet is terrified of having a boy escort her to the ceremony. However, Violet’s abuela insists on throwing her granddaughter a quince ceremony, as it is an important Latin American tradition to mark the transition from girlhood to womanhood.
When Violet’s grandparents arrive in Chicago, they immediately throw a giant domino party. Playing dominoes, like Latin music, dance, and cigar smoking, is just one of many Latin American traditions that Violet knows little about.



As the novel progresses, Violet takes the initiative to learn about and embrace her culture as she researches the history of Cuba. As she discovers more about the rich culture of heritage, she accepts the idea of having a quince ceremony. When Violet learns she can have a theater-themed quince, she is excited about the idea of attending the ceremony. She uses the long-held domino games her family plays as the subject of a sketch comedy routine she performs at school, which gives her a much firmer grasp of her roots. Violet also secretly participates in a pro-Cuba rally, causing tension among her family, many of whom endured the political turmoil in the country before coming to America. When Violet turns to her father for more information on Cuba, he refuses to talk, as he doesn’t want to rehash the painful memories he has of his homeland. Violet then turns to her aunt Luz, who tells her about the political strife that caused Violet’s parents to flee Cuba. Violet continues to study and begins writing about her family in preparation for the quince, giving her a newfound understanding and appreciation of where she comes from.

Violet joins a Speech Club at school with Janelle and Leda, where she takes lessons from her speech coach, Mr. Sloman. In the class, Violet meets Clarence, with whom she begins her first romantic relationship. However, while Violet’s father is okay with her attending speech club, he forbids her from researching the history of Cuba, threatening to cancel her quince celebration if she doesn’t stop. Violet’s mother confronts Albert, asserting he cannot prevent Violet from learning about who she is and where she comes from.

In the end, Violet’s family agrees to proceed with the quince ceremony. Violet’s abuela alters the traditional look of Violet’s quince dress by adorning it with Violet’s personal fashion touches. This allows Violet to feel like herself and to celebrate who she is: a Polish-Cuban American with a proud sense of heritage. Thematically, the novel emphasizes the importance of coming of age while staying true to oneself, and that one cannot try to hide who someone is, for they will always discover their roots eventually.



In addition to Cuba 15, Osa has written four novels as part of the Defenders of the Overworld series. The novels of the series include The Battle of Zombie Hill, Battalion Banished, Spawn Point Zero, and Deep Ocean Six. Osa currently resides in Portland, Oregon, where, in addition to writing fiction, she provides editorial services for authors, entrepreneurs, publishers, and scholars in preparing text for publication.