The purpose of the book is to bring awareness about the rich culture found in Guatemala. Marie Nestingen-Heise intertwined a number of her personal Peace Corps experiences into the book, which tells a story of two American teenage girls who travel to Guatemala to study Spanish. During their stay with a Guatemalan family, the girls discover the beauty of the country, both in its land as well as the indigenous culture. They learn about the symbolism of the colors and designs of typical indigenous clothing. The girls, along with their new friends who they met at the language school, are faced with challenges on their camping trip to the top of a volcano. Perhaps one of the most memorable cultural experiences includes the making of a sawdust rug for the Good Friday procession. During the Good Friday festivities, Maria finds herself to be a potential victim of robbery. Following a farewell party at their school, and saying good-bye to their Guatemalan family, the girls return to their homes in Wisconsin.