Piri Thomas (1928-2011) was a writer and poet, best known for his memoir Down These Mean Streets. Thomas was born to a Puerto Rican mother and Cuban father. During his childhood, Thomas lived in East Harlem, which became known as "Spanish Harlem." In this short story, two best friends become competitors when they must fight each other in a boxing match. It also offers a guided reading mode, an assessment, discussion questions, and a teacher's guide. [Free account registration required for specific tools.]