When the Mission Padre Came to the Rancho: The Early California Adventures of Rosalinda and Simon Delgado (I Am American)

The children's journal and diary entries tell of their fascination with this past world. From the padre, they learn about the mission's interactions with the native Indians and hear stories of pirate invasions. Meanwhile, their present day is filled with rancho experiences such as harvest festivals and welcoming foreign visitors, along with changes associated with California preparing to become part of the United States.

Gare Thompson uses rich factual detail and an entertaining fictional story to weave a vivid image of life on the missions and ranchos of early California. Like the others in the I Am American series, When the Mission Padre Came to the Rancho is illustrated with period drawings. Also included is a glossary.