In petty crimes written by Gary Soto gives readers a collection of stories about Mexican- American children growing up trying to find their place in a cruel world filled with gangs. These children are from central California, United States Of America. Where the weather is nice and warm with the sun shining bright above them. The protagonist consists of La Guera, and Mario. The antagonist is Laura, José Luis, and Norma. In the first chapter “ La Guera" grows up with the wrong crowd. Even her own mother couldn’t take her anymore so she sent her away but she came back the same.
Alma’s mother died from cancer, after the funeral her dad sent her away for awhile