Becoming Maria: A Memoir

Reviewed by: Kristin Taylor - Biddeford high School, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 10, 2016

Review

For anyone who grew up with "Sesame Street", you'll enjoy this memoir of the character Maria. As with any memoir, it is interesting to read about the person's life. Sonia Manzano was a groundbreaking Latino actor, educator and TV personality and writes this memoir with candor about her life growing up in the South Bronx. Her struggles with being Puerto Rican in a white culture, according to her memoir, made her what she is.

This book would be good for grades 10 and up along with adults who remember "Sesame Street" and Sonia's beloved character -- Maria. This memoir is similar to Julia Alvarez's "How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents" with the struggles and clashes of two cultures trying to blend. This memoir would be a good addition to a libraries multicultural section.

Overall Book Score: good