The Mexican American author Gary Soto draws on his own experience of growing up in Californias Central Valley in this finely crafted collection of eleven short stories that reveal big themes in the small events of daily life. Crooked teeth, ponytailed girls, embarrassing grandfathers, imposter Barbies, annoying brothers, Little League tryouts, and karate lessons weave the colorful fabric of Sotos world. The smart, tough, vulnerable...