In the title story, the Latino community in East L.A. suffers horrible gang-related violence, and the rape and murder of a 15-year-opld girl is the last straw for Micaela Clemencia, a local teacher. With the help of other women in the neighborhood, Micaela keeps her promise to punish the murderer. And much to the dismay of the police and other city officials, the women take control of the barrio, their “little nation.” Morales returns to his native Southern California community of Montebello in this compelling collection that examines identity and injustice. Translated from the original Spanish by Adam Spires, these stories explore the Chicano community’s marginalization and search for a space to call its own.