Honor and family
Compare Nayeli to her father, and ask which has done more for the community of Tres Camarones? Nayeli struggled, pushed past the limitations of the law, pushed past obstacles, all to eventually return to her home having rallied a small army. Instead of 7 men, she finds 27 new men to return to their community to help protect everyone. Meanwhile, she finds out that her dad has taken a new wife unbeknownst to her mother. He even has a child. These contrary pictures of honor pretty much speak for themselves—Nayeli is the honorable one, because she sacrificed and faced her fears to do the right thing for her community.
Legality versus morality
Obviously, this novel challenges the reader to think creatively when it comes to the ethics of Nayeli's decisions. In the context of Nayeli's true mission (to strengthen her community in Mexico and return there), the true "villains" aren't illegal immigrants nor police officers—the real villains are the people who threaten the safety of other humans for being somewhere "illegally." Nayeli breaks the law but follows a higher sense of justice, so she succeeds.
Adventure and non-traditional heroes
The novel is notable for overturning gender- and sexuality-based prejudices in terms of heroism. Can women be heroes? Absolutely, yes, and this novel proves it. How about gay men? Yes, absolutely. If Nayeli can face her fears and trust her instinct, than any woman can be a hero too, because Nayeli's heroism had nothing to do with her gender. Because she endures the difficult of her adventure, Nayeli's hero journey matters, and a serious problem befalling her community is averted. She is a savior to Tres Camarones. Also, her friend Tacho is gay, and he's a hero too. In fact, it is because of the people he meets in the gay community that he is able to succeed in his own quest.
