Noche Buena

Kanellos compiles historial literature on the Christmas theme by Hispanic Americans from the late nineteenth century through the twentieth century. There are thirty-six selections of short stories, traditional tales, songs, poetry and the complete religious drama of the shepherds, "Los Pastores," from 1907. They explore the complicated crossroads of politics and religion and the multifaceted significance of Christmas and the Hispanic identity. Kanellos compiles rare turn-of-the-century stories and contemporary writiings by celebrated authors such as Chicano folklorist American Paredes. Children's stories include "Legend of the Poinsettia" and "the Christmas Spirit Tree." The book represents writers of Mexican, Colombian, Cuban and Puerto Rican heritage whose works originate from New York, Puerto Rico, Florida, Texas, New Mexico and California. They not only reveal an early history of publishing US Latino literature but also chronicle the changing status of these groups since the nineteenth century, and important issues such as assimilation, religion, communal identity, patriotism, and poverty. The anthology includes an extensive historical introduction, illustrations, original Spanish text for all poetry, and a bibliography.