Under the Feet of Jesus is a moving, lyrical novel by Helena María Viramontes that follows the lives of a Mexican-American migrant family working in California’s grape fields. At the center is Estrella, a young girl coming of age, who — along with her siblings, mother, and extended family — endures grueling labor, poverty, and uncertainty while chasing hope and survival. When Estrella falls in love with Alejo, a fellow teen laborer, things become even more complicated — especially after he is sprayed with dangerous pesticides.

Viramontes weaves a raw, emotionally-driven story about family, love, labor exploitation, and resilience. Her evocative prose brings the harsh realities of migrant work and the beauty of human spirit into sharp contrast, delivering a powerful portrait of hardship, hope, and identity.

This novel is widely praised for its vivid imagery and social realism reminiscent of Steinbeck — capturing the struggle, dignity, and heartbreak of those often left unseen.