Héctor lives in Cuba. Years ago his father was arrested and exiled for his political views. His maternal abuela is a pro-Castro politician. Héctor’s mamá walks a careful line, although Héctor doesn’t know it. Héctor has never thought to question the Cuban government and feels good about his home and country. He doesn’t feel a great connection to his father, who lives in Florida, although he sometimes talks to him by phone, while his grandmother is a forceful presence in his life. But it’s the summer of 1980, and when the government opens the port of Mariel to those wanting to leave Cuba (as long as they can arrange transport), Héctor discovers the extent to which Mamá disagrees with Abuela politically. Determined that they will leave, Mamá cautions Héctor and his older brother, Rodrigo, not to tell anyone; not even Héctor’s two best friends, twins Isabel and Teo, who live across the street, and certainly not Abuela. He becomes a secret keeper, like everyone that summer. A novel following events in Héctor’s family and neighborhood just outside Havana is firmly grounded in Héctor’s perspective as his carefree childhood is gradually disrupted by painful events and awakenings, with the government’s heavy-handed tactics leading to more than one tragedy. The lack of an author’s note providing context doesn’t detract overall from this gripping novel about the Mariel boat lift—a flight to freedom for some and forced exile for others.  (Ages 10-13)

A boy and his family must decide whether to remain in Cuba under a repressive government or risk everything for the chance of a new beginning in this gripping story from the award-winning author of The Red Umbrella.

There are two versions of Héctor: the public and the private. It’s the only way to survive in communist Cuba—especially when your father was exiled to the U.S. and labeled an enemy of the people. Héctor must always be seen as a fierce supporter of the regime, even if that means loudly rejecting the father he still loves.

But in the summer of 1980, those two versions are hard to keep separate. No longer able to suppress a public uprising, the Cuban government says it will open the port of Mariel to all who wish to leave the country—if they can find a boat. But choosing to leave comes with a price. Those who want to flee are denounced as traitors by family and friends. There are violent acts of repudiation, and no one knows if they will truly be allowed to leave the country or not.

So when Héctor’s mother announces that she wants the family to risk everything to go to the United States, he is torn. He misses his father, but Cuba is the only home he has ever known. All his dreams and plans require him to stay. Can he leave everything behind for an unknown future?

In a summer of heat and upheaval, danger and deadly consequences, Héctor’s two worlds are on a collision course. Will the impact destroy him and everything he loves?

Christina Diaz Gonzalez's great-grandmother, great-uncle, and extended family came to the U.S. through the Mariel boatlift. She vividly remembers meeting them all for the first time in the summer of 1980 and is proud to share this part of her family's history.