“... Rollicking fun.” — San Francisco Chronicle
“This lively adventure demonstrates to youngsters that in spite of plans
going wrong, hope remains for... whatever one strives to accomplish. ”
— ForeWord Magazine
“Dole's narrative entertains... and creates a picture of neighborhood unity.
This book is part of the 'Chavi' series and useful in teaching teamwork and
initiative.”
— Children's Literature
"This well-done bilingual picture book positively portrays a Latino community. . . And, quite refreshingly, it is the children who lead the adults to the resolution. Best suited for one-on-one sharing, this family portrayal is a must for any library serving a Latino community with a need
for primary grade picture books."
—BAYVIEWS
". . .the brilliantly colored illustrations reflect the 'barrios' of
southern Florida as well as the semi-tropical islands from which so
many of its people originated. The importance of a girl's 15th birthday
will be obvious to Latinos, but the story provides clues for non-Latinos
as well. In addition, the warmth of family and community suffuses the
tale and crosses all cultural boundaries." —Kirkus Reviews
"Chavi is a strong, intelligent, and resourceful protagonist. Her
ingenious efforts to organize a party not only demonstrate her skills but
also a strong sense of her Cuban American neighborhood in Miami. Tonel...
offers cartoonlike watercolors full of good-natured, unstoppable
enthusiasm... A good choice, both for the heroine’s can-do attitude and
because, for a change, adults are seen following the lead of wise
children." — Booklist
"Dole's prose, in both English and Spanish, is exuberant, making use
of colloquial expressions that reflect the nature of the Cubano neighborhoods
of Miami... The use of different type-faces and sounds... makes this
story visually interesting and fun to read aloud." — School
Library Journal
Full-color illustrations 
