In this fourth book in his award-winning memoir series, Francisco Jimenez leaves everything behind in Californiaa loving family, a devoted girlfriend, and the culture that shaped him to attend Columbia University in New York City. With few true accounts of the Latino experience in America, Francisco Jimenez's work comes alive with telling details about the warmth and resiliency of family and the quest for identity against seemingly impossible odds. Many [students] have commented that your books give them hope and courage and, thanks to you, many are seriously thinking about college for the first time in their lives --John Padula, teacher, Boston Public Schools

Francisco Jimenez immigrated from Tlaquepaque, Mexico, to California, where he worked for many years in the fields with his family. He received both his master's degree and his Ph.D. from Columbia University and is now chairman of the Modern Languages and Literatures Department at Santa Clara University. He lives in Santa Clara, California, with his family.