Provides an overview of Latino culture and history, examining Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and other groups, and discusses such topics as immigration, politics, and social, cultural, and economic trends.

Max visits the dentist to have his teeth checked and cleaned.

Story of a group of Paisanos, descendants of early Mexican settlers in Northern California. They live in the tiny town of Tortilla Flat and spend their days eating, drinking and relaxing in the sun. When one of them inherits 2 houses the rest are soon living in the houses without paying rent! The situation is further complicated when the house owner falls for a beautiful woman.

While on a Sunday outing, Fernando and his family encounter a kite festival and decide to create a kite from scrap materials so that they can join in.

While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he's seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for...

Two sleepy children sneak out of their beds to watch as their parents, who love each other very much, break into a dance while washing the dishes.

When her parents move away from their close-knit central Chicago neighborhood and thus her dance classes, Marisol--a lively ten-year-old who loves to dance--realizes that she can keep her passion for dancing no matter where she lives.

Mama Provi takes chicken and rice to her sick granddaughter Lucy who lives upstairs.

"The stories in this book cover each figure's cultural background, childhood, and the challenges and opportunities they met in pursuit of their goals. A glossary of terms and discussion question-filled reading guide, created by the Smithsonian Latino Center, encourage further research and exploration. Twenty-three of the stories featured in this anthology will also be included in the future Molina Family Latino Gallery, the first national gallery...

During his day at school, Max listens to and writes a story, plays on the playground, and eats lunch.