Ana Castillo (born June 15, 1953) is a Chicana novelist, poet, short story writer, essayist, editor, playwright, translator and independent scholar.

[1][2] Her works offer pungent and passionate socio-political comment that is based on established oral and literary traditions.

[5] Castillo held the first Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Endowed Chair at DePaul University.

[10] She attended Jones Commercial High School and Chicago City Colleges before completing her BS in art, with a minor in secondary education, at Northeastern Illinois University.

[8] Castillo, who has written more than 15 books and numerous articles, is widely regarded as a key thinker and a pioneer in the field of Chicana literature.

"[10] Castillo writes about Chicana feminism, which she refers to as "Xicanisma," and her work centers on issues of identity, racism, and classism.

As a poet Castillo has authored several works, including Otro Canto (1977), The Invitation (1979), Women Are Not Roses (Arte Publico, 1984), and My Father Was a Toltec (West End Press, 1988).

He is a top student who embodies high morals and yearns to live a happy life on the U.S. side of the border.

When his thoughts think the worst, he gets involved with a gang, Los Palominos, in hopes that they can help find his missing father.

In the end, Miguel finds his ex-wife alive who was also found with Tiny Tears, and both were in dire shape.

On the other hand, Regina and Gabo’s instincts that the worst occurred, came true, as Rafa was found dead in a house belonging to Los Palominos.

[18] Castillo’s writing about the novel proves to be straightforward yet explained creatively while always keeping in mind her duty to make readers aware of the current events at the border.

On one hand, many people and families migrate to the United States so they can receive a better education and find better jobs.

Conversely, the United States does not feel like home for many migrants and yearn for reunification with family members.

Ximena's death, the kidnapping of Miguel's ex-wife, and the life story of Tiny Tears are all representative of border violence against women.

On one hand, Regina has experienced the hardships that many Mexican people and migrants endure, such as picking crops or partaking in manual labor that is bodily taxing.