The story revolves around Miguel, a young boy who dreams of becoming a musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. However, his family, who are shoemakers, prohibit music due to a past tragedy involving Miguel's great-great-grandfather, who abandoned his family to pursue a music career.
Miguel's desire to participate in a local music contest leads him to steal de la Cruz's guitar, which transports him to the Land of the Dead. There, he meets his deceased relatives, including his great-great-grandmother, Imelda, and her husband, Héctor, who was murdered by de la Cruz.
Miguel forms a bond with Héctor, who helps him on his journey to find de la Cruz and obtain his blessing to return to the living. Along the way, Miguel learns about his family's past and the significance of the Day of the Dead celebrations.
As the story unfolds, Miguel discovers that de la Cruz is not the person he thought he was. In fact, de la Cruz murdered Héctor and stole his music and identity. Miguel and Héctor work together to expose de la Cruz's true nature and bring justice to the family.
Ultimately, Miguel returns to the living, but not before Héctor's memory is preserved, and his family learns to appreciate and honor their musical heritage. The story concludes with Miguel's newfound appreciation for his family's history and his own musical talents, which he uses to keep Héctor's memory alive.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Miguel comes from a family of shoemakers.
2. Miguel wants to be a great musician like Ernesto de la Cruz.
3. Miguel's family prohibits music.
4. November 2 is a special day, and everything has to be ready without grandma.
5. Miguel's great-great-grandfather left to be a musician and never came back.
6. Miguel is going to a contest to become a musician.
7. Ernesto de la Cruz's guitar is special to Miguel.
8. Miguel meets a skeleton named Hector in the Land of the Dead.
9. Hector is looking for his photo to be placed in an offering so he won't be forgotten.
10. Miguel and Hector make a deal to help each other.
11. Miguel performs in a talent show and meets Ernesto de la Cruz, who is his great-great-grandfather.
12. Ernesto de la Cruz is a famous musician who abandoned his family to pursue his career.
13. Hector reveals that Ernesto de la Cruz killed him to keep him from leaving and going back to his family.
14. Miguel returns to the Land of the Living and reunites with his family.
15. Miguel's grandmother, Coco, forgets Hector, and he starts to disappear from the Land of the Dead.
16. Miguel returns and plays a song for Coco, reminding her of Hector and saving him from disappearing.
17. Miguel's father wrote him letters and a song called "Remember Me."
18. Miguel sings "Remember Me" to his father, Hector, in the Land of the Dead.