The document provides a summary of the novel "An Island Like You" by Judith Ortiz Cofer. It discusses several short stories focused on Puerto Rican teenagers living in a Latino neighborhood in New Jersey. Each story explores the challenges the teenagers face growing up, dealing with relationships, and searching for their identities. The main theme is about individuality and standing up against pressures to conform. The stories are told from the perspectives of the teenagers and capture life in the close-knit but impoverished Puerto Rican community.

1. An Island Like You Stories of the Barrio by Judith Ortiz Cofer Created By Jaberia Jones

7. Special Effects Dialogue: You ride it out on a wave Pouring from the cinder-block jukebox of El building, With stereos blasting salsas from open windows, Where men in phosphorescent white T-shirts Hang over the sills, tossing piropos Down to the girls going somewhere in a hurry, Fanning the sidewalk heat with their swinging skirts, Crossing single file over the treacherous bridge, Of a wino’s legs at his daily post And cheo, the bodega man, sweeps the steps To his store and tells the doubting woman With hands on her hips that green bananas Are hard to get. Everyone knows he skims. Still, cheo’s is the best place for fresh codfish, plantains, and gossip At days end ,You scale the seven flights to an oasis on the roof, Hugh above the city’s noise, where you can think To the rhythms of your own and. Discordant notes rise With the traffic at five, mellow to a bolero at sundown. Keeping company with the pigeons, you watch the people below, Flowing in currents on the street where you live. Each one alone in a crowd Each one an island like you. -Judith Ortiz Cofer