Touching gracefully on themes of friendship, migration, courage, siblings and farming, this is a rich and readable chapter book for readers 7-11 years old. The tale is told from the point of view of dogs and illustrated with bold woodcut prints by the author, inspired by her studies in Oaxaca, Mexico. Violeta and her friends will capture the imagination of early readers as "los perros libres" share their adventures, infused with the wisdom and warmhearted courage of the mystical Xolo dog Jeffe. Includes a glossary for the Spanish words and a happy ending for all the characters.