California Teacher of the Year Alan Lawrence Sitomer is the author of hard-hitting best-sellers like Homeboyz. Sonia Rodriguez, the teenage daughter of illegal Mexican immigrants, feels stuck in the middle of two worlds. Sonia plans to be the first in her family to graduate high school and go to college. But when she puts her schoolwork before her familia, Sonia's mother sends her to relatives in Mexico to learn 'the ways of the old world.' Sonia returns more determined than ever to succeed-but it won't be easy. Be aware of strong language and adult situations.