Buried Onions - Gary Soto

On the mean streets of southeast Fresno, 19-year-old Eddie is just trying to get by. All he wants is to forget his violent past, hold down a job, and walk a straight line. But after his cousin's murder, Eddie finds himself drawn back into the cycle of violence. Eddie's father, two uncles, and best friend are all dead, and it's a struggle for him not to end up the same way. Violence makes Fresno wallow in tears, as if a huge onion were buried beneath the city. Making an effort to walk a straight line despite constant temptations and frustrations, Eddie searches for answers--and discovers that his closest friends may actually be his worst enemies. Includes a reader's guide and a glossary of Spanish words and phrases.