Desert Angel

The book is more a thriller than an educational work, but young readers may pick up some Spanish from the dialogue, as well as some regional history. They'll also get a window into the life of kids probably much different from themselves, living a perilous existence between unfit parents and the foster care system.

While positive role models have been nonexistent in Angel's life up to this point, and she is surrounded with more than her share of violent criminals, a number of heroes step forward from among seemingly ordinary folk, including the resourceful Abuelita, who helps hide her from Scotty, and Rita, who puts her to work in a Head Start class and gives her a few lessons in family values along the way.

The narrative starts by explaining that Scotty, the latest in a long line of her mother's abusive boyfriends, has been climbing into bed with Angel since early in the relationship, which is why Angel heads for the desert as soon as her mom and Scotty start fighting, to forestall the whole thing. It's during one of these episodes that her mom is murdered. And there is the continuing threat that Scotty would track her down and kill her, as well.

Angel has led such an economically deprived existence that she refers to soft chairs "like the fancy ones at the Salvation Army."