This anthology/textbook is part of a Mexican series of instructional materials designed for Spanish speaking adults who are in the process of becoming literate or have recently become literate in their native language. This document presents a collection of works from important writers directed to the population of Baja California, especially to adult students engaged in attaining a basic education. This collection consists of fragments of chronicles, stories, novels and poems that attempt to present in an elegant way a panorama of Mexico's roots and a vision of what the Mexican people are today. The natural beauties, traditions, legends and feelings of the population depicted will be recognized by adult readers as their own. Subjects covered in these stories and histories touch on the intrusion of the conquistadors, the influence of the Jesuits and the Franciscans, native rebellions, conflict over territory between the United States and Mexico, political turmoil, the ethnic composition of Mexico, the Mexican Revolution, peasant movements against local authorities, the urbanization of lower California, and various migrations and social change. (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse for ESL Literacy Education) (CK)