The book is a very candid and personal account of a Latino’s journey out of poverty. In the book the author shares wonderful stories of his growing -up days as well as stories of his clients after he began his career as a human service worker. He joyously shares his family with the reader and vividly describes the people that had an influence on his life. The book includes pictures as well as poems which contribute greatly to our understanding of the author’s thoughts and feelings. He begins by explaining the title to the book. Cuantas Piscas?, he tells us, was a line that young men used to start a conversation with girls picking cotton in the same field. The words have a double meaning to him as they also express how much one is capable of accomplishing, or what is one’s potential? It begs the character question, what kind of a person are you? Born to Mexican immigrant parents, the author describes the obstacles that he faced as he chased the illusive American Dream and as he attempted to assimilate into a culture that was not yet ready to welcome him. He describes his academic as well as his spiritual journey and the challenges that he faced as he tried to make sense of a world full of contradictions and confusion. Because of this, Noé Lara shares with us that he gained a better appreciation for his rich Mexican culture and his family’s religious beliefs. This, he explains, had a great deal of influence on the way he pursued success.
