When the Spirits Dance Mambo (Vega)

Book Reviews
In this vivid work..., two tales flawlessly merge: one recalls an Afro–Puerto Rican girl's upbringing in 1950s Spanish Harlem; the other explains the background for the author's eventual status as a priestess of the Santeria/Lucumi religion.... The spiritual and musical journey Vega takes readers on is informative and inspiring, even for the uninitiated
Publishers Weekly


(Adult/High School) Smart and perceptive, [Cotito] became a strong young woman, and worked steadily toward her goal of becoming a teacher..... While rejecting the negative, she embraced the many positive aspects of her heritage and the love of her family.... A vibrant, honest coming-of-age memoir that celebrates culture and community. —Sandy Freund, Richard Byrd Library, Fairfax County, VA
School Library Journal


Vega's passionate memoir of growing up in 1950s Spanish Harlem expresses both the burdens and joys of her Puerto Rican heritage.... [S]ome clunky phrasings ("Memories are the musical notes that form the composition of our souls") suggest that Vega's training in writing has been secondary to her work as a scholar and priestess of Santeria. Still, readers...will find the experiences limned here affecting. —Jennifer Mattson
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