In the pages of this book are people so real you'll swear you've them, situations so familiar you'll nod in recognition. In "Earth to Earth" we see the remains of a woman's entire lifetime being purchased and destroyed by land developers. "Maria de las Trenzas" offers a moving account of a young woman who fantasizes adventures to escape the tedium of her life. And "The Ruins" emphasizes the importance of preserving a heritage so that a people's history and culture will not be forgotten by future generations. Two of these stories have won prizes in Chicano literary contests; all will win the hearts of readers.Through these stories, Patricia Preciado Martin reminds us that freedom and self-expression are important in fulfilling our potential -- and, more important, that a large part of this process requires acknowledging our heritage as a priceless gift whose relevance in our lives cannot be ignored.