From the time she was a small child, Angela has been learning the skills of a weaver. Now this young Mayan girl has prepared her first sampler and is about to enter it in a weaving competition. But it is far more than technical expertise on which Angela will be judged. Angela's work must show she understands the seven sacred designs of San Andrés weavers--symbols that incorporate elements of Mayan spiritual beliefs and traditions into weaving. Angela's sampler must also reflect her ability to weave those symbols--and their meanings--into an original, unified pattern, a pattern is inspired by a dream. Only when Angela had mastered the technique and dreamed her first weaver's dream was she ready to make her first sampler. Accompanying a text that describes the years of Angela's education as a weaver are well-captioned photographs showing Angela and other weavers at work, and lovely up-close looks at Mayan weavings. A welcome, well-written glossary of terms relating to weaving and other facets of Angela's life discussed in the narrative is also provided. (Ages 8-11)

The story of Angela's quest for the First Sampler Prize awarded for the best first weaving. Angela is a Maya girl who learns weaving from her grandmother.