Reviews (36)

Great story, Great man
This was a great read whether you're a Pirates and/or Clemente fan or not. You walk away from it truly appreciating the game, Roberto and his charitable side.

A Career and Life Beyond the Statistics
I have always been an admirer of Roberto Clemente. During his career he stood out because of his high batting averages in a period of pitcher dominance and legendary throwing arm. Watching his performance on television in the 1971 World Series sealed the deal for me. That World Series was one of the most entertaining of my life (I am not a Pirates fan) and his heroics were largely responsible. He really did seem to almost single-handedly lead the Pirates to victory over the favored Orioles, not withstanding the significant, if not vital, contributions of other Pirates such as Steve Blass (especially), Bob Robertson, and Bruce Kison. Although Clemente had a reputation for being a hypochondriac and difficult with the press earlier in his career, by this time he was universally admired and grouped with baseball's elite. Clemente, by David Maraniss, tells the story of how this came about. Starting with Clemente's boyhood in Puerto Rico, Maraniss chronicles his life and times. Besides describing his journey as a Hall of Fame ballplayer and development as a bona fide role model, Maraniss also presents a portrait of the era. Adding to the tragedy of Clemente's early death is that he could have had as equally a rewarding life after baseball as a public figure, philantropist and possibly a politcian.I learned a lot about baseball in Puerto Rico and the difficulties and discrimination Clemente faced as a black man coming into a foreign culture. The book is a reminder that bigotry did not stop in organized baseball with the advent of Jackie Robinson. For those interested in baseball history, the book contains an interesting profile of the World Champion 1960 Pittsburg Pirates and the city of Pittsburg in the fifties through the early seventies. The 1971 World Championship then served as Clemente's coronation into the baseball pantheon. Whether Clemente was truly one of the greatest of all time is open to debate. My opinion is that while he was a solid Hall of Famer, Clemente was a level below such players as Mays, Aaron, and Mantle. The stats simply do place him at their level. I understand that there is more to baseball than the statistics. At one point Maraniss acknowledges Clemente's statistical weaknesses, but he points that his greatness, like an artist, cannot be measured. I agree with him that there is more to rating a player than raw statistics. However, the same can be said for the three players mentioned above and many others. In my opinion, Clemente was a great player, but does not deserve the canonization that some call for to this day. However, as a man, Clemente should be judged on more than statistics when reviewing his life. I will conclude by saying he led a good life, made a positive and lasting impact on the world, and provided me (and many others) with many thrills and chills on the baseball field.

Baseball even if your don't know the game
I am not a sports fan so I don't follow any of the happenings in those fields.Therefore, I was not sure that I would enjoy CLEMENTE but listened to it anyway.What I am is a Curious Kitty meaning that I like to know about people and their lives.This book is that type of story.
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Subjects:  1. 1934-1972    2. Baseball    3. Baseball - History    4. Baseball players    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography    7. Biography / Autobiography    8. Biography And Autobiography    9. Biography/Autobiography    10. Clemente, Roberto,    11. Ethnic Studies - Hispanic American Studies    12. Puerto Rico    13. Sports - Baseball    14. Sports - General    15. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Reviews (172)

Living The Truth
Louis Rodriquez writes the truth! I know I lived in the Lomas during the time Louis writes about being in Garvey school and at Mark Keppel. I lived in Lomas from 1959 to 1972. Fortunately, I survived the madness in Lomas. This was our life as we knew it, the gangs, drugs, girls and of course the parties. It brings back memories of our life in the barrio L's...

I read it, re-lived it and loved it!
Well written book by one of my favorite Authors.Louis is an awesome person who is committed to his work and community.Book can be used for anyone looking for a real life reference to the history of Chicano/a Gangs in Southern California.I read it, re-lived it and loved it!

Always Challanging
Many young people face the same perils Luis Rodriguez shares in this auto biographical coming-of-age story; some overcome these challanges, while others succumb. But, how many rise as far above them as Rodriguez has?
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. California    6. Criminals & Outlaws    7. Ethnic Cultures - General    8. Ethnic Studies - Hispanic American Studies    9. Gangs    10. General    11. Hispanic Americans In The U.S.    12. Los Angeles    13. Mexican American youth    14. Personal Memoirs    15. Sociology Of Youth    16. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (107)

A passionating story
The life of the young Esmeralda Santiago is interesting, well-written and full of colored details.

Loved this book!
My husband is Puerto Rican (I am not) and read this book years ago. He said that it reminded him of a combination of his mom and grandmother's childhoods. He lent it to his sister, mom and grandmother to read (they all loved it) and eventually to me. I just couldn't get enough of it. Then my mother-in-law lent us "Almost A Woman", which I just finished. Esmeralda Santiago is an amazing writer with a great story.

Dripping with Delight; A Guava Worth Picking!
Bursting with vividly vibrant details, Esmeralda Santiago's autobiography, When I was Puerto Rican will inspire all ages of readers. Santiago's story is captivating and refreshingly presented.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Childhood and youth    6. Ethnic Cultures - General    7. Ethnic Studies - Hispanic American Studies    8. General    9. New York    10. New York (State)    11. Puerto Ricans    12. Puerto Rico    13. Santiago, Esmeralda    14. Women    15. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs    16. Biography: general    17. Ethnic studies    18. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (10)

Could have been Better for Those in the Know
For those in the know, the book suffers for want of careful editing. It is flawed, for example, by illustrator David Diaz' arrogance in placing his own designs on Quezada's pottery. Had this book been about van Gogh, Picasso or any other well-known artist, it is unlikely he would have portrayed their art with no concern for what it looked like in reality. This puts down Juan Quezada. Diaz also carelessly depicts Quezada building a pot by the continuous-coil method of the Indians of the American Southwest rather than by the distinctive method that he innovated and for which he is known. Better editing would have caught these problems with the illustrations as well as a multitude of minor inaccuracies that occur in the text, nearly one to a page. For example, in speaking of using a bean to burnish pottery, the author comments, "Of course dried beans can be found in any kitchen in the village." The bean in question is an inedible wild bean, the chilicote-not the kind that would normally be found in anyone's kitchen. Such editorial problems do not, however, detract from this production as a children's book. They are the sort that only one in the know would see.

My kid is obsessed with this book
The absorbing subject matter of this book, presented through catchy rhymes and alliteration and strong, colorful illustrations, has completely captured the imagination of my four-year-old.For three days now, he's been "Juan" almost exclusively, following ants to a vein of "the very best clay, all squishy and white," pretending to make vessels for every conceivable purpose, and peppering me with questions about Mexico, pottery-making, and Juan himself.I've had to draw the line at cutting my hair for paintbrushes and gathering the "dried cow manure" left by the neighborhood dogs."The Pot That Juan Built" appeals to pre-schoolers' burgeoning interest in rhyme and other aspects of language; making things out of simple materials; and the world around them generally.I give it my highest recommendation!

Excellent, Beautiful Book!
I'm appalled at the lack of love for this book!I am a teacher of a 3rd grade classroom in California where my children are learing about how humans use the world around them to create their life and build their culture.This book is a perfect tie-in to this concept.The illustrations are beautiful and I found the rhymes to be intelligent and descriptive.Two thumbs up from me, and 48 thumbs up from my class!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art - General    2. Art - History    3. Biography & Autobiography - Art    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    5. Children: Grades 2-3    6. Juvenile Fine Arts    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. People & Places - Mexico    10. People & Places - United States - Hispanic/Latino    11. Potters    12. Pottery    13. Quezada, Juan    14. Technique    15. Ceramic arts, pottery, glass    16. Fiction dealing with multiculturalism    17. Mexico    18. Multiculturalism    19. Picture books   

Reviews (14)

Good Stories and Good Message
I bought this book after I'd read The Circuit because I needed to find out what happened to the family.I was intrigued by both books, found them fairly easy reading, and believe that they open up opportunities for discussion with teens.Thought provoking, well-written, very descriptive, somewhat depressing although I found the characters' spirit amazing and inspiring, and all together a very good read.Great for young adults as well as adults...highly recommended.

What's Happening?
Francisco's family gets sent to Mexico, because they were in California illegally. When they get to come back legally the family gets a little split up, due to work and such. Roberto has to return to their barrack because of his janitor job. Papa can not work because of his back so the rest of the family goes to visit family and get Papa's back checked. Will Papa get better? Roberto gets replaced on his janitor job. Will Roberto get a job? What can the family do without the little money they must earn in long hard hours? That would be something to think about.
breaking through
I recommend this novel Breaking Through because it is a good novel.It has excellent word choice.The characters in the novel are believable the setting are believable.The setting is good it is not great because the setting is a little foggy because the people are move a little fast.The novel has a good starting and ending.
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Subjects:  1. Agricultural laborers    2. Biography & Autobiography - General    3. California    4. Children's 12-Up - Literature - Classics    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    6. Classics    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile fiction    10. Mexican Americans    11. People & Places - United States - Hispanic/Latino    12. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Hispanic & Latino   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Encyclopedias    3. Ethnic Studies - Hispanic American Studies    4. Hispanic American women    5. Reference    6. Sociology    7. Women's Studies - History    8. American studies    9. Latin America    10. Social & cultural anthropology    11. USA   

Reviews (9)

A guy we can all relate to
This book is warm and generous, just like its author.He's a guy just like the rest of us with fears, joys, sorrows, disappointments, peeves, and some great accomplishments.I loved sharing his life with him, and thank him for being so open.

Disappointing--shallower than anticipated

Presidential Aspirant for 2008?
In my opinion, politicians write an autobiography for one of three reasons:to salvage his or her reputation(i.e. Richard M. Nixon), to promote his or her legacy (i.e. Ronald Reagan), or to start the journey to claim the prize that he or she wants (i.e. Stewardship of the White House as President of the United States).
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Subjects:  1. 1947 Nov. 15-    2. 1951-    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Governors    8. Hispanic Americans In The U.S.    9. New Mexico    10. New Mexico - State Government    11. People of Color    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Political    14. Politics and government    15. Politics/International Relations    16. Richardson, Bill,    17. Biography & Autobiography / Political   

Reviews (10)

A beautiful children's book with an illustrated personal story and a larger message
Harvesting Hope tells the tale of Cesar Chavez, but more than that, it reveals the power of collective bargaining and fighting for what is just in the world.As a children's book, it has appeal as a well-illustrated biography, an important history lesson, a story of family and personal triumph, and a book with a message.Chavez's crusade took place several decades ago, but the plight of migrant farm workers remains, despite the tremendous inroads Chavez made with La Causa.The story of Chavez's childhood, hard days of labor, and fight for worker's rights is timeless, and Kathleen Krull's award-nominated book deserves a place on every child's bookshelf.

The story of a lesser known American Hero
This is a great picture book for all ages. The heroic story of Cesar Chavez is left out of most U.S. history classrooms, save those in California. This book would be an enlightening addition to any classroom or children's library.

Si Se Puede
Let's begin by saying that the drawings are super and captivating. Yuyi Morales creates characters that show emotion and the result is a drawing of emotion from the young reader. As the title implies this is the story of Cesar Chavez who many adults came to know about from his work with the farmworkers in California. This story humanizes the man by beginning in his childhood. The roots of the farmworker leader are explored asa young person traveling from crop to crop , from state to state. A drought in Arizona began the family oddyssey that would result in Caser Chavez becoming familiar first hand with the troubles of the farmworkers. Life on the road became a harsh reality. The treatment he encountered in school forced him to drop out in eighth grade but the treatment in the fields wasn't much better, at times it was much worse. This is simple story about a complex problem that one man was determined to overcome. He wanted justice for farmworkers and organized. He became to Mexicans what MLK was for civil rights, for Mexicans it was an extension of civil rights. This is a beautiful book for young readers or those not so young that are learning to read in English if they have a reading foundation in another language. Although it is recommended for children ages 6-9, middle school students, ages 9-12, especially those with limited English proficiency can benefit from this story well told. For the teacher or parent this book can help instill pride and understanding as to how determination, perseverance and hard work can overcome even the greatest odds. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1927-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - Cultural Heritage    4. Biography & Autobiography - General    5. Biography & Autobiography - Social Activists    6. Chavez, Cesar,    7. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    8. Children: Grades 1-2    9. History - United States/20th Century    10. Juvenile Nonfiction    11. Juvenile literature    12. Labor leaders    13. Mexican Americans    14. People & Places - United States - Hispanic/Latino    15. Preschool Picture Story Books    16. United States    17. Chavez, Cesar    18. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / United States / 20th Century   

Reviews (12)

A beautifully written book
This is a heartfelt book; I can't think of another book that spells out the bicultural life so clearly. Arana has cut a new path here. This is not so much about being Hispanic American as being a new and different kind of American: split, with differing loyalties, and with all kinds of doubts along the way.
Spanish deserves as much respect as English
As a native Spanish speaker and ESL/bilingual education
APretentious Family Memoir
My wife grew up in Ecuador and moved to the United States 8 years ago, at age 31. I am always interested in better understanding her cross-cultural transition and that's why I picked up "American Chica". But actually this book is more of a family memoir, describing the difficult marriage of Arana's parents. The majority of the book is about her early childhood years growing up in Peru with her father's aristocratic family. The last couple of chapters do recount her family's move to New Jersey. But, while her father was miserable living the "gringo" lifestyle, Marie and her siblings appeared to make the transition quite easily - as children often do - despite facing racism as the only latino kids in their school system.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Ethnic Cultures - General    6. Ethnic Studies - Hispanic American Studies    7. Hispanic American journalists    8. Journalists    9. United States    10. Women    11. Biography & Autobiography / Women   

Reviews (7)

Inspiring, realisticand spiritual book
Father Greg Boyle has done miracles that not everyone can do in working with youth at-risk, especially Latino gang members of East Los Angeles (the "mother-island" of gangs). It ONLY takes a special and unique person to attract and aquire respect from the so-called "lost human-beings" that are involved in gangs. Not all adults see these latino youth as "human beings" whatsoever. Father Greg deserves MORE recognition for what he has done in the Pico/Aliso neighborhoods. Highly recommend this book. May GOD bless "G."

A Masterpiece
Fremon's account of Father Greg's early 1990's work in Boyle Heights, CA. is as moving and powerful a work as one is likely to read.The fact that this book is out of print (currently) is a crime!

HOW FATHER GREG CHANGED THE CRAZY LIFE IN EAST LOS
FIRST OFF I WANT TO THANK FATHER GREG FOR CHANGING ALOT OF PEOPLES POINT OF VIEW ON GANSTERS ALOT OF PEOPLE JUDGE THE BOOK BY THERE COVER WELL FATHER GREG SPOKE THE TRUTH ABOUT THE PROJECTS IN EAST LOS I SHOULD KNOW I LIVED THERE AND I KNOW HIM AND ALOT OF THE GANG MEMBERS THAT FATHER GREG TALKED ABOUT HS BOOK. FATHER GREG TALKS ABOUT HOW HE EARNED HIS RESPECT FROM US GANG MEMBERS AND THE COMMUNITY NOT ONLY DOES HE INSPIRE PEOPLE WITH HIS BOOK BUT ALSO HE GETS RESPECT FOR NOT GIVING UP ON US HELPING US IN EVERYWAY POSSIBLE AND LETTING PEOPLE KNOW ALOT MORE OF EAST LOS IN THE CITY OF ANGELS.. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. California    2. Catholic Church    3. Church work with Hispanic Americans    4. Church work with juvenile delinquents    5. Clergy    6. East Los Angeles    7. Sociology    8. Violence (Sociological Aspects)    9. Biography & Autobiography / General    10. Boyle, Greg   

Reviews (34)

Bullsh*t
This guy is full of it and full of himself. Wants to sound sooooooooooooooooo educated. Comes off sounding like a pretentious overcompensating guy with a real inferiority complex. Obviously has not come to a point of self-acceptance. It is a pity.I got the book in hopes of finding some help with my own Mexican-American son's struggles to fit in to either the Mexican or the "white" sides of his heritage. This book is NOT one I will leave around for him to read. I wonder how he got published.

Brown
Brown is an interesting read and by no means is it an easy read.Rodriguez alludes to many different things, so a reader, such as myself, may not always be able to pick up on these allusions.This is a story, rather a collection of stories that highlights race, ethnicity, and identity in American culture.This is a dense read, not a quick and easy read.At first, I did not understand many of the things Rodriguez was saying, but as I progressed farther in the book, his writing became much more clear and understandable to me.In the end, I cannot say that I enjoyed the book but that I did find it an interesting read and worth my time.

Feel free to step back and let some of it slide by
"Brown" is really a collection of disparate essays and personal musings that make no effort to come together at the end in any sort of traditional conclusion or overriding point. Not surprisingly the only truly linking theme is this idea, this social construction of "Brown," the book being simply a transcription of the world through the eyes of a man that has been brown his entire 50 or so years. While some find this style of writing important to the messsage of the book I find it confusing and often tiring ot read.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Ethnic Sociology    4. General    5. History - General History    6. People of Color    7. Social Science / Ethnic Studies / Hispanic American Studies   

Subjects:  1. Acting    2. Acting & Auditioning    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Actors & Actresses    6. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    7. Ethnic Studies - Hispanic American Studies    8. Performing Arts (General)    9. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction   

Reviews (2)

Engaging: You Will Finish This Gripping Memoir Quicker than You Received It
Years ago Rigoberto Gonzalez did a reading at the University of California, Riverside, his alma mater and the approximate locale where he met the "older lover" who abused him. Someone in the audience asked him why he felt he could write a memoir so young? Rigoberto, then in his early thirties, answered, "Because I write about another time that is no longer my life."
Memoir travels maze of sex, family and self-acceptance
What makes a writer?
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Authors, American    3. Biography    4. Ethnic Issues    5. Ethnic Studies - Hispanic American Studies    6. Gay Studies    7. Hispanic American gays    8. People of Color    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Biography: general    13. Gay studies (Gay men)    14. New Mexico    15. Social Science / Ethnic Studies / Hispanic American Studies   

Reviews (66)

I was born in Mexico and faced similar issues. This is awful.
Richard Rodriguez whines and complains in his book.I have similar experiences. I was born in Mexico.I was reared in America and went to Catholic schools.I have a darker than average complexion.People often ask me what country I was born in just by looking at me, but that did not warp my wife like it seemed to for Rodriguez. I have a friend who went to Stanford, like Rodriguez, on scholarship, but he did not whine about it.I googled Rodriguez and found a published speech where he continues to show weak character. Here is a quote from one of his speeches: "... if you really want to scare the United States of America, all you would have to say to the United States of America is "I'm going to marry you. I'm going to start dating your son." "This is pretty sad and tasteless.Besides showing weak character, Rodriguez is a poor writer.I have never seen so many sentence fragments.At one point in his book he admits he never liked writing when he was in school.It shows.This book is an insult to the Latin-American community from a condescending publisher.We deserve better.
I hate this book.
This is one of the worst books I have ever read. I understand that is fine writing, but the book is tasteless. I find Rodriguez arrogant and lonely. Is he trying to say that the turning point of his life was when the nun's came to his parents home. I hate this book it is one of my worst reads ever.

A superb job of capturing with words what many of us (first and second generation Americans) feel
I return to this book 8 years after I read if for the first time. Within minutes I find myself recalling the Sunday brunches my parents used to prepare for our entire family, the joyful sounds of my growing up in Virginia, after spending my early years in Eastern Europe. I intimately know the things Mr. Rodriguez writes about, because I've experienced them.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. California    6. Education    7. Education, Bilingual    8. Ethnic Cultures - General    9. Hispanic Americans In The U.S.    10. Mexican Americans    11. Multicultural Education    12. People of Color    13. Personal Memoirs    14. United States    15. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (12)

Acosta was not just Thompson's sidekick
Oscar Acosta's works stand on their own, give a unique perspective, and cover important topics. It's a given that most HST fans will also like Acosta, but even readers who aren't familiar with or (perish the thought) aren't fond of the good Dr's works may still like Acosta's frank (and not ostensibly exaggerated) depictions of his life as a chicano civil rights lawyer in the 1960's.

Read this and watch Fear and Loathing in Vegas again
By reading this book before watching the movie, you will see what Dr. Gonzo's life was like right before he decides to become a lawyer.If you have ever felt alienated by American ideals, regardless of your race, you will relate to this book.Acosta's writing is good and he does a great job of describing what the character is feeling when he encounters life, drugs, and ulcers.

A good story at heart
It is easy to dismiss this book. The hallucinations and drug-induced rants become a little exaggerated and tedious. Although, his friend and partner in crime, Hunter S. Thompson, would detail similar bizarre experiences in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, their intent seemed different. Whereas HST played with fantasy in social satire as a form of comic relief, OZA seems to want you to believe it to be fact...or at least for you to trust that he believed it.Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Acosta, Oscar Zeta    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Ethnic identity    8. General    9. Hispanic Americans In The U.S.    10. History    11. Lawyers & Judges    12. Mexican Americans    13. People of Color    14. Popular culture    15. United States    16. West (U.S.)    17. Biography & Autobiography / Lawyers & Judges   

Editorial Review

Mexican American journalist John Phillip Santos's lyrical and loving memoir explores his family's history in magnificent prose touched with the singing cadences of his Spanish-language heritage yet vibrant with the energy of American English. It's a combination utterly suited to his native San Antonio, where Read more

Reviews (10)

The Anglicising of Texas...
Beautiful and eloquent words crafted by Juan Santos in a wonderful memoir: "...he Anglicising of Texas..." is a polite term when murder and theft would be a better description. Killing of innocent Mexicans merely for being on a White's land and the indenturement (or limited slavery) of those seeking a better life, I was shocked, but not surprised, by the evil of the white Texans.
A Window
Mr. Santos' lyrical and thoughtful storytelling provides welcome insight into the history and culture of south Texas. The book provided a window into parts of San Antonio about which I have been both ignorant and curious.This is a smart selection as the first read for the 1 Book 1 San Antonio program.

San Antonio Readers
This book has been selected for the 2006 "One Book - One San Antonio" event, during which every reader in San Antonio will be encouraged to read and discuss this novel. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Childhood and youth    6. General    7. Hispanic American Sociology    8. Mexican Americans    9. San Antonio    10. Santos, John Phillip    11. Texas    12. Biography & Autobiography / General    13. Biography: general    14. Ethnic studies    15. North America   

Reviews (11)

Living up the Street
Living up the Street (Book Review)
Book Review
Living Up the Street is one of many autobiographies written by Gary Soto. It tells of the ups and downs throughout his childhood, adolescence, and even adult life. This realistic book is enjoyable to read because many people can relate to one of his experiences one way or another. Though the book it without plot, sequence, or continuity, it is interesting from the very first chapter you read. This autobiography is mainly about Gary Soto, and his poor Mexican family, growing up in Fresno, California, in the 60's and 70s'. It is fun to read because it is as if you are reading and viewing someone as they grow up and mature. Through Gary's mistakes, he's learns valuable lessons for life on his own. To give you a better understanding of the book, knowing some events that occurred in the beginning will help you know how interesting it is. In the introduction, the three main characters are presents, who also happen to be all siblings. Rick, who is 6, Gary 5, and Debra 4.Most of the beginning shows the everyday family struggles they had growing up and how when the Mom, when she was angry enough, hit them with a belt after they acted up. One of the first events which happened, is when the Mom had somewhere to go and left the children home alone unattended accidentally.Since the kids loved playing with fire, they managed to burn a few items on fire inside the house and have fun with a tomato fight also, ruining the entire living room and kitchen. This is just one of many events that took place in this novel.

Don't judge a book by it's cover,fools!
I had to read this nutjob of a book with the class as a freshman this year and the cover and plot review on the back of the book made it look like bird scratch but right when you start reading you'd notice it's pretty damn good. This is on of those rare books that start o be interesting from the very beginning chapter and have small chapters so you feel optimistic about reading alot of sections of the book and feel a sense of almost finished. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - Cultural Heritage    4. Biography & Autobiography - Ethnic    5. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    6. Children's Books/Young Adult Biography    7. Juvenile literature    8. Mexican Americans    9. People & Places - United States - Hispanic/Latino    10. Poets, American    11. Youth.    12. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Hispanic & Latino   

Subjects:  1. 1746-1786    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - Political    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Galvez, Bernardo de,    6. Governors    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Louisiana    10. Gálvez, Bernardo de