Loss of Innocence

One major theme of Crazy Weekend is loss of innocence. As the book progresses, Hector and Mando continue to lose their innocence. They start out as seventh graders from East Los Angeles, a rough, Latino neighborhood. Though they are not sheltered due to growing up in East Los, they are a bit naïve and still children. When they visit Uncle Julio, they are fresh-faced and excited. They are scared to ride in a small plane. They are naïve enough to tell the reporter all about the robbers' car and license plate, thus marking themselves as targets. Hector even tries to convince himself and Mando that the robbers will not come after them.

Slowly, Hector and Mando realize the severity of the situation. This is when they start to lose their innocence. When the robbers run Julio and the boys off the road, Hector snaps...