About This Book

A young first-generation American celebrates the festive, intimate spirit of his community. Welcome to José's neighborhood. In his barrio, people speak an easy mix of Spanish and English and sometimes even Chinese. The masked revelry of Halloween leads into the festive remembrances of the Day of the Dead. And murals on the walls and buildings sing out the stories of the people who live here. As familiar as any neighborhood yet as strange as a foreign country, Jose's barrio isn't in Mexico or Argentina; it's in San Francisco. Award-winning author and photographer George Ancona follows José through a season in the barrio, and in the process gives readers a glimpse of a community as rich and varied as America itself.

George Ancona's photographs have illustrated more than seventy books for children, several of which were named ALA Notable Books. His book Powwow was named a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Ancona now makes his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.