Rudy Herrera is surprised and excited when hegets an invitation to a pool party. It's from TiffanyPerez, the richest and most popular girl inschool.Rudy's grandmother, "ElShorty," thinks he is going off to shoot pool.His sister, Estela, warns him not to make a foolof himself, or worse, embarass her. Rudy's fatherteaches him how to make small talk and tells himTiffany will like him because he's a real person,not a phony.All Rudy cares aboutis what to wear, what kinds of dives to do, andwhat to bring Tiffany. When the big day arrives, Rudyis in high spirits. Will he make a big splash atthe pool party?From Grandfather"El Shorty" to Little Rudy, the Herreras are afamily who not only live and work together, butlove and enjoy one another. Gary Soto, poet andstoryteller, gives young readers a story of simplepleasures, simply told and simply wonderful.