While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Juli�an notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Juli�an gets home, daydreaming of the magic he's seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern...

When her father is diagnosed with Hungtington's disease, eighteen-year-old Vanni abandons her plan to flee her small New Mexico hometown after high school graduation and instead spends the summer keeping herself busy with part-time jobs and boys, but that changes after she meets Leigh, whose friendship dares Vanni to ask herself big questions and make new plans.

"When six students are chosen to participate in a weekly talk with no adults allowed, they discover that when they're together, it's safe to share the hopes and fears they have to hide from the rest of the world"--

Two siblings spot a variety of trucks, play with toy trucks, and watch monster trucks at a state fair.

Lucas compares his home life with the supposedly perfect lives of the other students at the private school he attends.

Sofia helps her grandmother make her special rice pudding, but there is a mix-up in the recipe.

A girl describes her family's annual visit with Mamaw and Papaw in West Virginia, then Abuela and Abuelo in Florida, especially the foods and cultural elements that make each kitchen unique.

"Pilar Ramirez is joining the hockey team. After all, she's never let being born without part of her right foot hold her back. But starting a new sport isn't easy, and now a fellow player thinks Pilar's rookie mistakes are hurting the team. Can Pilar up her game and prove to her teammate -- and herself -- that she belongs on the ice?" --Back cover.

"When a young girl is asked where she's from--where she's really from--she's no longer as she was. She decides to turn to her dear abuelo for some help with this ever-persistent question. But he doesn't quite give her the answer she expects."--Page [2] of cover.

"En la escuela, Pedro ha estado leyendo libros sobre el planeta Marte. Cuando llega a casa, imagina cómo sería vivir en el planeta rojo. ¿Podría escalar la superficie rocosa de Marte? ¿Será que su gran imaginación lo lleve a quedarse en Marte o decidirá que prefiere vivir en le planeta Tierra?" -- Descripción del editor.