Gary Soto

A collection of eleven short stories focusing on the everyday adventures of Hispanic young people growing up in Fresno, California.

Marisol Luna was born to dance. The upsetting news that her family is moving to the Chicago suburbs is made worse when Marisol learns that her new neighborhood doesn't have a dance studio. That means no tap, no jazz, no ballet folklorico, not even classical ballet.

Gary Soto, an award-winning poet, is renowned for getting at the heart of a young person's everyday life. In these eleven stories, performed with spice and energy by young actors Stephanie Diaz and Miguel Gongora, Soto again scores. With a sensitivity and humor born from his own experiences while growing up in California's Central Valley, the author brings to the surface issues such as success and failure, honesty and deceit, love and friendship.

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Poet Gary Soto captures the voices of young people as they venture toward their first kiss, brood over bruised hearts, and feel the thrill of first love.

A senior at East Fresno High School lives on as a ghost after his brutal murder in the restroom of a club where he had gone to dance.

To get the "ratoncitos, " little mice, who have moved into the barrio to come to his house, Chato the cat prepares all kinds of good food: fajitas, frijoles, salsa, enchiladas, and more.

Chato decides to throw a "pachanga" for his friend Novio Boy, who has never had a birthday party.

Luis is convinced that he will not perform well on the baseball field without following his unique pre-game ritual.

After being teased about his brand new loafers, Rigo puts them away for so long he grows out of them.