Emerging Latina author Malin Alegria Ramirez read from her novel, Estrella’s Quinceanera at Pima County Library’s Las Nuestras Raices Literary Arts Festival on March 8.

The festival, which celebrates Mexican-American authors. will be held at eight library branches and two community venues from Feb. 29 to Mar. 27.

At Saturday's event, Ramirez also discussed how she became an author. A San Francisco native, she has been writing since she was 12 years old, but began writing professionally just three years ago. She was later hired by Alloy Entertainment (who also published The Baby-sitter's Club series and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) to write latino coming-of-age stories. including Estrella's Quinceanera and Sofi Mendoza's Guide to Getting Lost in Mexico.

Ramirez explained that the Quinceanera celebration is an important event in the life of a young woman, symbolizing the transition into womanhood. Some compare the Quinceanera to a sweet sixteen, but the Quinceanera, which is celebrated primarily by those of Hispanic descent, involves a lot more culture and tradition.

The Quinceanera is believed to have been begun in the 16th century as a way of introducing one’s daughter to society in the hope of finding her a husband. Today, it is a celebration that brings friends and family together to recognize a special time in a woman’s life. Although there is a lot of planning, preparation and finances involved, most families believe that it is well worth it.

In Estrella's Quinceanera, Ramirez lives the Quinceanera that she never had. The novel is humorous and includes all of the quirky characters any family is bound to have. Ramirez’s presentation at the festival was accompanied by laughter and applause as she acted out the various characters from the novel.

The author now regrets that she didn't celebrate that special time in her life.

“I was like the character in the book," Ramirez said. "I didn’t want a Quinceanera. As an adult now I reflect on the importance of honoring a girl becoming a woman.”

Both Ramirez and her mother never had a Quinceanera, but her sister did.

The dress pictured on the cover of Estrella's Quinceanera was her sister's Quinceanera dress was her inspiration for the novel. The dress has been passed down through her family, and although the dress may not be a favorite of Ramirez, nonetheless the family tradition and history of the dress makes it special and meaningful.

Ramirez tried to reach out to those that attended the event, but did it by taking a light-hearted approach.

"I like to deal with issues in my story, but I like to entertain at the same time," she said. "As authors we all need to bring back the magic into books" and help kids find the passion for reading that has been replaced by television and the internet.