Rebecca, Jamoncillos, Cochitos, and Dates
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After an unfortunate circumstance, 10-year-old Rebecca (aka Becca) is sent to Mexico to live with her grandparents until she is old enough to return home to Tucson, AZ. Becca begs to stay with her favorite tío Jorge, the one with the bad reputation. Her sisters are in college, and Tía Aurelia is busy climbing the ladder at work. There are no other choices, so she must go where she will be cared for. It is heartbreaking to see and feel Becca’s pain as she packs her belongings to leave the only home she knows.
In Mexico, Becca joins her cousin Lana in activities she normally wouldn't choose. Agnes, her best friend from the United States visits in the summer. Her arrival adds to the excitement of Becca’s experiences in Mexico, as the group discovers new aspects of the country together.
They explore the town of Rayón, and enjoy special events like the Dia de San Juan festivities including horse races, music, dancing, and lots of food. As much fun as Becca is having, she cannot fully embrace the joy until the one day she shares the trauma with her best friend.
Then come the days when they are no longer children, but young adults. Boys replace their dolls, and the daily door to door sales of jamoncillos become rare. Becca faces important life choices while Lana and Agnes have already made theirs.
Rebecca, Jamoncillos, Cochitos and Dates is my debut fiction book—a collection shaped by the whispered stories of my childhood. I grew up tucked behind curtains and beneath blankets, pretending to sleep while my mother and aunts shared secrets I was never meant to hear. I remembered them all. As an adult, speaking to an aging mother and my aunts, I sat with pen and paper at every opportunity to write the answers to the many questions I had. There are many more questions, that I’ll continue to ask until there is no one left to answer them.
The characters, names, and events have been re-imagined and reshaped to protect the real people whose lives inspired these tales, but the heart of their truths remains. Blending humor, heartache, and the curiosity of growing up, this is a coming-of-age story written for teens and adults alike. Though the tone is playful and nostalgic, readers should be aware that a few chapters contain mature or intense themes.
A journey into memories half-forbidden and stories half-imagined told at last from my perspective and imagination.
Endorsements
I continue to be amazed by the depth of writing shown by the author, Sylvia Merino. Compared to other types of writing, Sylvia boldly creates an authentic and emotionally charged story while never watering down the details. I sincerely appreciate her writing style and her courage to share these incredible stories.
— Patrick Greenwood, Author, Shores of Okinawa
Sylvia's new young adult book takes you on the heartbreaking journey of a young girl coming of age while experiencing all the disappointments and other emotional stages of growing up. In many instances, she has nothing but memories to hold onto. Sylvia’s new book is just as authentic and engaging as her first two.
— Flora Gamez Grateron, award winning author of "Through the Door, Cuentos de Casa" and "Open Doors, Cuentos de Familia.
Sylvia’s third book will tug at your heart. She skillfully tells the story of a young girl navigating two worlds and dealing with the profound loss of her parents. It is a must read.
— Geneva Escobedo, award winning author of "Dichos de mi Padre" and "Reflections of the Heart. Stories and poems from Life"
Sylvia gracefully tells the story of a young girl's passage from childhood to adulthood as she deals with grief and loss. She crafts interesting and engaging characters caught in stories of tragedy and adventure as they move toward healing on both sides of the U.S.-Mexican border. Merino is a talented storyteller and easily draws the reader into Becca's world.
— Andrea Hernandez Holm, author of “Not Enough, Too Much” (Flowersong Press)
This story immediately sweeps you into a ten-year-old's crying rage at the loss of her parents. The story takes you into the world of a child who unexpectedly must face loss and grief as she makes sense of new cultural expectations, ways, and ideas. This coming-of-age story will keep you reading to learn how Becca grows up among her Mexican cousin as her American friends visit and create the contrast for what her life might have been if she had not lost her parents.
— Anna Loebe, Ed. D., Writer, Educator, and Honoree: UA Women's Plaza of Honor, 2025