Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults, 2005 –Young Adult Library Services Association A young adult novel Latino-style–the year is 1969. America is at war, “Hollywood” is a dirt-poor Chicano barrio in small town America, and Sammy and Juliana, about to head into their senior year, are in love. Sammy & Juliana in Hollywood is a Chicano ode to survival. In so many ways, in so many of the characters’ lives, I see images of riding out the storms of youth, of a cultural revolution, of war and of death. But of love, too: lost love, found love, the love for friends and family, for place. What else is there to chase after? –René Saladaña, Jr., author of Finding our Way and The Jumping Tree
Download and start listening now!
“A powerful and authentic look at a community’s aspirations and the tragic losses that result from shattered dreams.”
— School Library Journal
“Honest and heartfelt, this is an extraordinary book.”
— El Paso TimesBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Benjamin Alire Sáenz is an American Book Award–winning author of poetry and prose for adults and teens. His first novel for teens, Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood, was an ALA Top Ten Book for Young Adults and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His second book, He Forgot to Say Goodbye, won the Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award, the Southwest Books Award, and was named a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age. He teaches creative writing at the University of Texas, El Paso.
Robert Ramirez came to audiobook narration fresh from his MFA in classical theater. Initially answering a casting call for a narrator who spoke Spanish, Robert has used his Mexican-American background to imbue authentic flavor and dialogue in audio titles. His powerful command of language and rich voice reflect his interest in dialects. Ramirez is the winner of eight AudioFile Earphones Awards.