Maria, a Hispanic girl, is in tenth grade and lives in Fresno with her family. Her family consists of her mom, dad Rafael, sister Irma, and brothers Rudy and John. Maria is the oldest child. Maria's father, a foreman at a paper mill, emigrated from Chihuahua, Mexico, and grew up in abject poverty. Maria has an uncle Shorty, who was in a bad automobile accident and is a paraplegic with scars from burns. Maria's grandmother is named Lupe. Maria remembers taking a family vacation that involves one day at Disneyland.