In 1996 the editors of Sí magazine invited prominent Latino fiction writers to submit brief pieces to the magazine for a Christmas issue that was meant to celebrate the different ways the December holidays are observed in the various Latin American countries and by Latino families in the United States. They were so overwhelmed by the number and tenor of the submissions that the editors decided to compile them into a book, and the result is this collection of 24 original short stories and essays, based on the authors' memories of childhood Christmas celebrations. Although the stories are intended for an adult audience, mature teenagers will appreciate the reminiscences, sometimes poignant and often humorous, that deal with the elevated sense of emotion and family strife holidays often bring. Many teenagers will recognize names familiar in young adult literature, such as Judith Ortiz Cofer, Victor Martinez and Gary Soto; others will be happy to discover authors such as Julia Alvarez, Denise Chávez, Sandra Cisneros, and Michael Nava. Recipes for favorite Christmas dishes and the lyrics to traditional songs, remembered from childhood, are interspersed throughout the book. (Age 14 and older)

Twenty-five celebrated Latino writers delight and move us with their recollections of Christmas in this splendid holiday extravaganza.
From Julia Alvarez's tale of how Santicl� delivered a beloved uncle from political oppression to Junot D�az's story of his own uneasy assimilation on his first Christmas in America, to Sandra Cisneros's poignant memories of her late father's holiday dinners, Las Christmas gives us true stories from writers of many traditions--memories of Christmas and Hanukkah that vividly capture the pride and pain, joy and heartbreak, that so often accompany the holidays in the Americas.
Richly illustrated and embellished with songs and poems, along with recipes for an unforgettable Christmas dinner--from traditional sweet tamales to Puerto Rican asopao (stew) and coquito (coconut eggnog)--this is an enduring treasury of Latino writing to read again and again.
A heartwarming holiday gift.