A 12-year-old boy named Ephraim is one of the finest Master Coffee Pickers in a small town in Puerto Rico at the height of the colonial era. Ephraim's endearing characteristics win the hearts of a few intriguing cast of characters portrayed in the story. Ephraim is poor, but he has a heart of gold. He is humble, but at the same time proud. He is clever and awfully daring. He is honest and has great respect for his family and religion.Ultimately , Ephraim questions his life as a "jíbaro" (hee-BAHroh), or peasant, working in the fields under the unforgiving demands of a Spanish landowner. In his journey to find the answers, Ephraim's newly found acquaintances aid him in discovering the rewards of his hard work and the hope that lies ahead of him.

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record began publication in 1873. Debates for sessions prior to 1873 are recorded in The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (1789-1824), the Register of Debates in Congress (1824-1837), and the Congressional Globe (1833-1873)