What would Natasha, Haley, or Sara say are the pros and cons of being a single mother?
What does Geronima have to offer the young single mothers? What are/were her flaws as a mother?
How do the characters in this book differentiate themselves from their own mothers?
Alex frequently imagines himself as a superhero. How does this help him? Or does it? Does he impart any of these benefits to Angelica within their friendship?
What kind of people do you imagine the children of these single mothers will grow up to be? What will they learn from their mothers (or despite them)?
There is a motif of judgment in this story. What are some of the different ways in which mothers are judged?
About the Author
This is my third novel but my sixth book. Before this I wrote:
Lone Star Legend (novel)
Houston, We Have a Problema (novel)
Sunflowers (kids’ book)
Growing Up with Tamales (other kids’ book—this one won an award)
To the Last Man I Slept with and All the Jerks Just Like Him (edgy small-press short-prose collection)
Actually, I’ve written way more than that, but those are the books I’ve managed to sell. Besides that I did a lot of writing for various websites back in the day. And, you know, I could tell you about all the rejected manuscripts and the poetry chapbooks and such, but let’s leave a little for our next meeting, all right?
I was born in balmy inner-city Houston in 1971 and spent a couple of years at the University of Texas at Austin. After that I had a few kids, and then after that I started up with the book selling.
When I’m not writing books for you and hoping you’re enjoying them, I’m hanging out with my kids and my husband or my cats. I also like to read books by other people, and sometimes I knit or make jewelry or play video games.
If you ever get curious and want to find out more about my life or see if/when I’m coming to your town, feel free to visit GwendolynZepeda.com, which is the latest incarnation of the website I’ve been writing since 1997.
Cheers.
Also by Gwendolyn Zepeda
Lone Star Legend
Houston, We Have a Problema
Praise for Gwendolyn Zepeda’s Novels
Lone Star Legend
“In her fresh and smart second novel, Zepeda explores how share-everything online culture affects real-life relationships. Readers will relate to Sandy’s quest to achieve professional success without sacrificing herself.”
—Booklist
“Zepeda gives readers a funny and smart heroine that [they] will easily pull for.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A book filled with rich descriptions of action, emotions, and people—all combined with her storytelling to give a really good page-turner read.”
—Examiner.com
“A timely tale…an interesting look at modern media with a Latin spin.”
—RT Book Reviews
Houston, We Have a Problema
“Zepeda…presents a debut about the everyday struggle to find one’s way but adds unusual and alluring touches, namely the vibrant Houston setting and the novel’s emphasis on Tex-Mex culture, art, and folklore.”
—Booklist
“Jessica’s evolution from self-uncertainty to self-empowerment is amusingly charted, and Zepeda’s take on the popular fascination with good luck charms, horoscopes, psychics, and unreliable predictions is laced with rueful zeal.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Reading Gwen’s book was like going to a family BBQ—full of drama, juicy gossip, and lots of laughs.”
—Mary Castillo, author of Switchcraft
“An entertaining lighthearted Latina chick-lit romp focusing on the metamorphosis of a young woman…Fans will enjoy this fascinating coming-of-age tale.”
—Midwest Book Review
“The premise is quite cute and flows nicely, casually integrating Latin culture into the fold. Madame Hortensia, the entrepreneurial psychic, is a great comedic stand-out character.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Zepeda is great at both voice and dialogue; the dialogue is clever and powers the story forward.”
—SadieMagazine.com
“[A] funny and heartwarming tale that follows the life of Jessica Luna through love, tears, and plenty of laughs.”
—BookPleasures.com
Contents
Title Page
Dedication
Natasha
Natasha
Natasha
Alex
Alex
Natasha
Natasha
Alex
Natasha
Alex
Natasha
Natasha
Alex
Natasha
Alex
Natasha
Natasha
Sara
Alex
Sara
Alex
Sara
Natasha
Natasha
Sara
Alex
Natasha
Sara
Alex
Natasha
Sara
Natasha
Alex
Natasha
Alex
Natasha
Sara
Natasha
Alex
Natasha
Sara
Alex
Natasha
Alex
Natasha
Alex
Natasha
Alex
Sara
Natasha
Alex
Natasha
Alex
Sara
Natasha
Alex
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
Reading Group Guide
About the Author
Also by Gwendolyn Zepeda
Praise for Gwendolyn Zepeda’s Novels
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2012 by Gwendolyn Zepeda
Reading Group Guide © 2012 by Hachette Book Group
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.
Grand Central Publishing
Hachette Book Group
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New York, NY 10017
www.hachettebookgroup.com
www.twitter.com/grandcentralpub
First e-book edition: July 2012
Grand Central Publishing is a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
The Grand Central Publishing name and logo is a trademark of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
The Hachette Speakers Bureau provides a wide range of authors for speaking events. To find out more, go to www.hachettespeakersbureau.com or call (866) 376-6591.
The publisher is not responsible for websites (or their content) that are not owned by the publisher.
ISBN 978-0-446-58268-1
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