How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents

By: Julia Alvarez

Narrated by: Blanca Camacho, Annie Henk, Annie Kozuch, Noemi de la Puente, Melanie Martinez

Hailed by the Los Angeles Times as "simply wonderful", How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents captures the vivid lives of the Garcia sisters, four privileged and rebellious Dominican girls adapting to their new lives in America. In the 1960s, political tension forces the Garcia family away from Santo Domingo and toward the Bronx. The sisters all hit their strides in America, adapting and thriving despite cultural differences, language barriers, and prejudice. But Mami and Papi are more traditional, and they have far more difficulty adjusting to their new country. Making matters worse, the girls, frequently embarrassed by their parents, find ways to rebel against them.

A touching coming-of-age tale, this enthralling book perfectly illuminates the intergenerational struggles and multicultural clashes so common to the American immigrant family.

©1991 Julia Alvarez (P)2006 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"These interconnected vignettes of family life, resilience, and love are skillfully intertwined and offer young adults a perspective on immigration and families as well as a look at America through Hispanic eyes. This unique coming-of-age tale is a feast of stories that will enchant and captivate readers." ( School Library Journal)

how the garcia list their accents

loved the story and narration!
first audible read, cant wait to read the next! thanks

First time

loved it, narrated very well
This was my first and I enjoyed it.
I will recommend.

Voices that span two worlds

I liked the contrast of DR and NYC cultures. Julia Alvarez is a gifted writer who paints a vivid picture with words.

Great stories and wonderful performances

Like a collage of intertwined stories, the author demonstrates a fantastic ability to incorporate many different characters without losing the overall themes of the book. There is as much life in what is told, as what is left unspoken.

A must read!

I wish everyone would read this and have a new perspective of what its like for immigrants in the US. True some people move to the US for a better life, but we don’t hear the stories of those that had to do it to save their lives and the sacrifices that are involved. Some had a financial secure life in their home country and come to live in poverty or not as luxurious. If i got one thing out of this book, it was a glimpse of that risk and an honest look at how immigrants are treated. It’s a good reminder for me to be open minded and be an ally. I heard this book was banned, and i couldn’t think of a reason why it should be.