In 1790, in a tiny Spanish Colonial village in the Kingdom of New Mexico, pottery is as crucial to starving villagers as the rains that might save their scorched bean fields. But Native potters are sending their wares south to markets in Chihuahua. When his widowed mother's only bean pot cracks, eleven-year-old Raymundo knows his family's last hope lies with Clay Woman, a Gen zaro outcast and quite possibly a powerful witch.
In addition to drought and famine, Raymundo faces the return of Comanche raiders and his mother's failing health as he risks all to learn Clay Woman's secrets. Even as he prays for a miracle, he knows he must summon the wherewithal to save his family--and his people.

In the 1790s, in a tiny Spanish Colonial village in the Kingdom of New Mexico, pottery is as crucial to starving villagers as the rains that might save their scorched bean fields. But Native potters are sending their wares south to markets in Chihuahua. When his widowed mother's only bean pot cracks, eleven-year-old Raymundo knows his family's last hope lies with Clay Woman, a Genízaro outcast and quite possibly a powerful witch. In addition to drought and famine, Raymundo faces the return of Comanche raiders and his mother's failing health as he risks all to learn Clay Woman's secrets. Even as he prays for a miracle, he knows he must summon the wherewithal to save his family--and his people.