In addition to being a young woman's coming-of-age story, Almost a Woman is the story of a young immigrant's adjustment to her adopted culture. When Esmeralda first arrives in Brooklyn, she is surprised to hear herself labeled "Hispanic," having always considered herself Puerto Rican. In the eyes of non-Hispanic Americans, however, all Spanish-speaking cultures are one.

In general, mainstream Americans judge Esmeralda according to her ethnic and socioeconomic background, rather than judging her as an individual. At school, the counselor judges the non-English-speaking newcomer as a misfit, placing her "in a class for students who'd scored low on intelligence tests, who were behavior problems, who were marking time until their.

sixteenth birthday, when they could drop out." When a social worker inspects Esmeralda's home to determine if her family legitimately merits welfare, Esmeralda resents her family's dependence on the opinion of a stranger, but she is...