Lewels' tales of a young Mexican-American coming of age on the border are riveting. Sometimes they are zany and at other times heart breaking. He writes with great clarity and wit. His conversational style makes you feel he is speaking directly to you. It is a much-needed book about the history of the border as seen through the eyes of a kid trying desperately to assimilate into American society. The book sheds light on an area of the country that is wildly misunderstood.