Turbulence in post WWII New Mexico. Lino learns to cope with cultural and language changes while groping with identity. He marvels at his older brother's and cousin's prowess in their head-on take of circumstance. The drought and family matters also trouble the teen: do they continue to farm under desperate conditions? do they move to the city. do they integrate into the anglo society? Lino struggles with these dilemmas while gradually uncovering a family secret and coping with a murder. Lino has a long row to hoe.