Cuba 15

Reach for this book when your teenager is feeling the friction between your family's cherished traditions and their own budding sense of independence. It is an ideal choice for the child who feels like an outsider within their own culture or who uses humor and sarcasm to deflect from the pressures of growing up. The story follows Violet Paz, a Cuban American teen who is reluctant to have a traditional quinceanera but eventually uses the process to explore her heritage on her own terms. This novel navigates the complexities of bicultural identity with a witty, relatable voice. It balances the hilarity of family misunderstandings with deeper explorations of activism and self-discovery. Parents will appreciate the respectful but realistic depiction of the parent-child tug-of-war. It is perfectly suited for middle and high schoolers who are beginning to question how they fit into the world around them while maintaining a strong, hopeful connection to their roots.