This short novel describes the lives of working children living in La Paz, Bolivia in the 1980s that still rings true today. One girl, Margarita, weaves rugs for rich 'gringas' that live in the more affluent part of the city, while her brother, Juancho, and his friends, walk around the city carrying their shoe-shining boxes, looking for customers. Paredes writes with great humor and includes rich descriptions of the beautiful Andean landscapes surrounding the poor but proud city of La Paz.

Introduction written by Gaby Vallejo de Bolivar. Illustrations by Javier Fernandez. Cover illustration by Clovis Dias de Oropeza. A brief list defining the Aymara vocabulary used in the novel is included at the end of the book.