The nineteen stories and twenty-four poems in this edition provide a cross-section of contemporary Spanish-American prose and verse. They have been chosen with the interests and the ability of the student in mind. Wherever possible, the selections appear complete and unchanged; in some instances, the editors have abridged or modified the texts so that they can be read by students who have yet to develop fluency in Spanish. This makes possible the use of material which otherwise could not be included without extensive footnote translations.