Daniel Acosta

Set in San Gabriel, CA in 1958, this novel captures life from the perspective of 12-year-old Manuel Maldonado, Jr. or Manny, who lives in an ethnically diverse section of the city. He is set apart from the majority of his Mexican American community due to his blue eyes, light skin, red hair, and large port-wine birthmark, which has earned him the nickname "Man-on-Fire." Manny is a gentle soul, but manages to get into constant trouble with his mischievous friends. When one of their games turns dangerous, Manny faces a new kind of trouble — and an uncertain future.