This is a wonderful collection of short stories that delve into the challenges that face some people in the US, including getting to know neighbors who are of different religious and racial backgrounds, loneliness, discrimination in the workplace and responsibilities. In this collection, she focuses on those of Hispanic and Jewish backgrounds and the issues some of them face, be they new immigrants, illegal immigrants or American born. She writes boldly about these issues of cultural differences, assimilation and acceptance, but always imparts dignity to all her characters. Her stories will move you, perhaps to anger at injustices, to joy, to contempt, and to grief, but move you they will.

I don't think I've read a collection of stories where I've found something different to appreciate in every single one. ( )

It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a book of short stories as much as this thin volume. It’s not only that they were so clearly written, but it had much to do with the subject matter of the stories. I seemed to identify either with the characters, many of whom were Jewish, or with the general themes, many of which had to do with Hispanic identity. The stories left me feeling either happy (satisfied with the outcome) or distressed (due to some perceived injustice wrought upon a character). I can honestly say that I was not unmoved by any of them.

The stories covered a wide range of topics, such as a Sephardic Jewess wanting to marry an Ashkenazic Jew against her parents’ wishes (“The Scandalous Case of Diana Salinas and Jorge Schapiro”) , the juxtaposition of a wealthy couple ignoring “illegal aliens” against a Salvadoran woman struggling to earn money to raise her family (“Bienvenue Rosalia’), a student learning Spanish grammar from a recording (“La Voz”), a college professor whose employers continue to deny her tenure (“Tenure”), and a Jewish mother resenting the intrusion of a Mexican family buying a house on her block (“Sanchez Across the Street”).

Oddly enough, I liked the last story (“La Voz”) best, and it was, in fact, the one I read first. The reason was that it was only five pages long, and I wanted a taste of this author’s short stories before deciding to read the whole book. I thought it was a hoot, but when I gave this story to my daughter to read, she said she didn’t understand it. Go figure!

Barbara Mujica is a local author to me, being a professor of Spanish at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Therefore this book of short stories was an especially fun read because it names many places with which I’m familiar from the D. C. metropolitan area.

I cannot believe that I am the only person on Librarything with a copy of this book! How very sad. Barbara Mujica is not a new author to me as I previously read her novel [Frida] about the artist Frida Kahlo as narrated through the voice of Frida’s sister. I found that book a very enjoyable read.

If anyone encounters the book Sanchez Across the Street, I heartily recommend that you pick it up. It won’t take long to read, and you’ll be very much entertained. ( )