This volume compiled by Ilan Stavans examines the importance of ritual and celebration and the quinceanera celebration’s growing social importance to in the Latino community, particularly in the United States.

The essays explore the quinceanera and the coming-of-age ritual from various angles. Prior to 2007, the quinceanera received no formal ritual through the Catholic Church, which has since issued one. As such, the role of religion and the Catholic Church in the quinceanera celebration is given extensive consideration. Gender, family status, class, race, as well as the aspects of performance are all discussed as central themes of the celebration. Delving through myriad perspectives, Quinceaneras illuminates the festivities’ form and function in creating social and personal identity within the family and the larger Latino community.