This book contains memoirs about growing up as the son of Mexican immigrants in rural California, as well as stories that the author's parents told him about their childhoods and village life in Mexico. In a preface and introductory stories, the immigrant explains how his family culture sustained him during bad experiences in school, and describes how, as an adult, he rediscovered the truth of his parents' stories. Those tales of bravery and self-discovery are set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution and immigration to the United States. All involve young people overcoming physical, emotional, and psychological barriers during times of great stress. The children and adolescents in these stories discover truths about spirituality and magic, stand up to bullies on the first day of school, assist during childbirth, fight witches and the real-life oppressors of their village, and achieve great feats of skill and courage. The message is that young people have the power to create their own futures and can overcome all manner of adversity with the help of spirituality, imagination, and love of family. Includes notes on story background. (SV)