Summary

In “Tactic’s River,” Claudia finds ways to escape Mamatoya’s watchful gaze and to play at the dump next to Mamatoya’s house. The dump keeps Claudia from going to the river, where she is not allowed to swim and where Mamatoya throws her trash.

In the chapter, “Speaking of Robbery,” Claudia earns small amounts of spending money by doing homework for two wealthier, lazier girls in her class named Laura and Luisa. Sometimes, Luisa invites Claudia to her house to play. One day, Luisa discovers that Claudia has stolen a little hard candy and Claudia runs home crying. In the poem “At Nightfall,” an unidentified “she” hangs up her dress at night and contemplates the new wrinkles she has.

In the next chapter, “Mamá Returns,” Mamá returns to Mayuelas when Claudia is ten years old. Claudia and her sisters meet Mam...