After an unfortunate circumstance, 10-year-old Rebecca (aka Becca) is sent to Mexico to live with her grandparents until she is old enough to return home to Tucson, AZ. Becca begs to stay with her favorite tío Jorge, the one with the bad reputation. Her sisters are in college, and Tía Aurelia is busy climbing the ladder at work. There are no other choices, so she must go where she will be cared for. It is heartbreaking to see and feel Becca’s pain as she packs her belongings to leave the only home she knows. In Mexico, Becca joins her cousin Lana in activities she normally wouldn't choose. Agnes, her best friend from the United States visits in the summer. Her arrival adds to the excitement of Becca’s experiences in Mexico, as the group discovers new aspects of the country together. They explore the town of Rayón, and enjoy special events like the Dia de San Juan festivities including horse races, music, dancing, and lots of food. As much fun as Becca is having, she cannot fully embrace the joy until the one day she shares the trauma with her best friend. Then come the days when they are no longer children, but young adults. Boys replace their dolls, and the daily door to door sales of jamoncillos become rare. Becca faces important life choices while Lana and Agnes have already made theirs.