Petty Crimes

Meet Manuel, a young man who wears hand-me-downs from his older brothers until he finally gets a brand-new pair of shoes. And Jose Luis, who watches the vet bills rise after he buys a sick rooster to save it from becoming someone's dinner. And Alma, a young woman who runs to every shop and flea market in town buying back the clothes of her dead mother that her father has given away. These Mexican American youths meet life's challenges head-on in this hard-hitting collection of short stories.

About the author

Gary Soto's first book for young readers, Baseball in April and Other Stories, won the California Library Association's Beatty Award and was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. He has since published many novels, short stories, plays, and poetry collections for adults and young people. He lives in Berkeley, California. Visit his website at garysoto.com.

Summary

Meet Manuel, a young man who wears hand-me-downs from his older brothers until he finally gets a brand-new pair of shoes. And Jose Luis, who watches the vet bills rise after he buys a sick rooster to save it from becoming someone's dinner. And Alma, a young woman who runs to every shop and flea market in town buying back the clothes of her dead mother that her father has given away. These Mexican American youths meet life's challenges head-on in this hard-hitting collection of short stories.

Additional text

"All of these stories exhibit dazzling imagery and Soto's intense understanding of his subjects . . . Lively, absorbing, and meaningful."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Product details

• Authors: Soto Gary Soto, Gary Soto
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: ages 10 to 12
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.05.2006
• EAN: 9780152054373
• ISBN: 978-0-15-205437-3
• No. of pages: 176
• Dimensions: 130 mm x 194 mm x 13 mm
• Weight: 136 g
• Subjects: Children's and young people's books; Education and learning > Schoolbooks, general education schools; JUVENILE FICTION: Social Themes / Emotions & Feelings, JUVENILE FICTION: Social Themes / Friendship, JUVENILE FICTION: Social Themes / Violence, JUVENILE FICTION: Social Themes / Bullying, JUVENILE FICTION: Biographical / United States, JUVENILE FICTION: Social Themes / Prejudice & Racism, JUVENILE FICTION: Family / Stepfamilies, JUVENILE FICTION: Short Stories, JUVENILE FICTION: Historical / United States / General, JUVENILE FICTION: Family / Marriage & Divorce