The Donkey Lady Fights La Llorona and Other Stories/La Señora Asno se enfrenta a La Llorona y otros cuentos

Gr 4–6—In this collection of short stories, Garza writes with a style attuned to the rich oral traditions of Mexican folklore. The settings will be familiar to urban teens and reflect the societal issues prevalent in North and South America today. Garza attempts to develop plot lines through a series of eerie encounters. This is most satisfactorily achieved in two out of the 12 short stories, "Grandpa Tito's Book" and "Tunnels." In these two tales, the author thrusts underdogs into a position of heroism despite the characters' disability and/or socioeconomic standing. The protagonists ultimately slay the ghostly figures and save family and friends from their terrifying foes. These two stories will resonate with many hi-lo readers in the middle school age group. The endings of the other 10 stories are somewhat anticlimactic and may prevent some readers from finishing the book.