'Hecht's work is graceful, thorough, and level-headed. This book is a much needed contribution to the literature of Brazil, of children, and of anthropology. It will no doubt be read and argued for years to come.' Robin Nagle, author of Claiming the Virgin: The Broken Promise of Liberation Theology in Brazil

• Introduction; 1. Speaking of the street; 2. Being in the street; 3. 'Home' children: nurtured childhood and nurturing childhood; 4. Betraying motherdom: Maloqueiros and 'that life' in the street; 5. When life is nasty, brutish and short: violence and street children; 6. Curing street children, rescuing childhood; 7. Street children and their 'clients', conclusion: the ephemeral lives of street children; Appendix: the setting: Recife, Olinda, and Northeast Brazil; Glossary; References cited; Notes.

'Hecht's work is graceful, thorough, and level-headed. This book is a much needed contribution to the literature of Brazil, of children, and of anthropology. It will no doubt be read and argued for years to come.' Robin Nagle, author of Claiming the Virgin: The Broken Promise of Liberation Theology in Brazil

• Introduction; 1. Speaking of the street; 2. Being in the street; 3. 'Home' children: nurtured childhood and nurturing childhood; 4. Betraying motherdom: Maloqueiros and 'that life' in the street; 5. When life is nasty, brutish and short: violence and street children; 6. Curing street children, rescuing childhood; 7. Street children and their 'clients', conclusion: the ephemeral lives of street children; Appendix: the setting: Recife, Olinda, and Northeast Brazil; Glossary; References cited; Notes.

'Hecht's work is graceful, thorough, and level-headed. This book is a much needed contribution to the literature of Brazil, of children, and of anthropology. It will no doubt be read and argued for years to come.' Robin Nagle, author of Claiming the Virgin: The Broken Promise of Liberation Theology in Brazil

• Introduction; 1. Speaking of the street; 2. Being in the street; 3. 'Home' children: nurtured childhood and nurturing childhood; 4. Betraying motherdom: Maloqueiros and 'that life' in the street; 5. When life is nasty, brutish and short: violence and street children; 6. Curing street children, rescuing childhood; 7. Street children and their 'clients', conclusion: the ephemeral lives of street children; Appendix: the setting: Recife, Olinda, and Northeast Brazil; Glossary; References cited; Notes.