"Fresh and satisfying. . . Distinctly seasoned with the sights and sounds of East Los Angeles; the sprinkling of Spanish words and phrases adds the perfect flavor." -Horn Book
"Chato can't believe his luck. Not only is he the coolest low-riding cat in East L.A., but his brand-new neighbors are the plumpest, juciest, tastiest-looking family of mice to move into the barrio in a long time. So Chato and his best friend, Novio Boy, get out the pots and pans, the tortillas and the beans-everything you'd need for a welcoming feast, except for the main dish, and the guests of honor. Of course, in Chato's mind they are one and the same thing.But the mice are bringing a surprise guest of their own, who may be more than a cool cat can swallow."
Gary Soto is a poet, essayist, and fiction writer who has published works about Mexican American teenagers. Since Soto himself was once a Mexican American teen growing up in Fresno, CA, he writes about subjects, settings, and situations with which he is intimately acquainted. Soto attended Fresno City College to avoid the 1970 draft. After completing two years, he transferred to California State University. Although he had no idea what he wanted to do, Soto wrote poetry while working many jobs and living at home. Soto says he first became interested in poetry when he discovered the works of poets of the "Beat" generation. After receiving his master's degree, Gary moved to Mexico City and later taught at several universities. He left teaching in 1991 to become a full-time writer. Soto now concentrates mainly on children's literature, but he still writes poetry for adults. Because his work has touched the lives of many Latino-American children, Soto feels very rewarded.
