I dedicate this book to all of my friends in Portland Oregon. This is for you.

April 3

My name is Lucía, and tomorrow my family is leaving our island in search of something new. My father is tired of working for other people, but I think he should be grateful. My sister doesn´t care where we go, as long as she gets purple things. Her name is Sofía, and as you probably guessed, she is the one in purple.

April 4

The day has come! I was so exited I could hardly sleep. When I got to our boat, all I saw was a little raft. When I inquired if this was our ship, my father laughed and pointed to the ship next door. The side read La Aventura which means the adventure.

All I am allowed to bring are my clothes and my doll Ana. Before my mama left she gave me a doll saying it would comfort me when she left. My sister also got something, and it was a beautiful fair skinned doll. She named her Sarah, a horrid name if you ask me.

April 6

When I came up to the top deck this morning, I noticed something floating in the water after us. When I asked my father, he told me it was a present, and that I can play with it when we reach land.

April 9

Sailing would be more fun if I was the one sailing, and if I wasn´t seasick. Plus it doesn´t help that the food is terrible. Today at dinner, Papa told us what we thought was good news.

"We should arrive on land in around three weeks." As we rejoiced about this good news, Papa got up and left the table.

I followed him up to the top deck, where he was pacing. When I asked him what was wrong, he jumped and responded

"Nothing! Just...thinking." When I pressed him for more information, he said that he doesn't have the correct papers so we can go to America! What will we do?

April 28

I haven't been writing because Sofía stole by notebook and hid it under a loose board. When I found it, it was soaking wet and I had to wait for it to dry out. Anyway, we arrived in port this morning! Right now we are at a greasy and moldy apartment building called "La Cabana", which means the cabin. All of the rooms were decorated like ship rooms, so we were used to it. After me and Sofia played with our dolls, she told me that when she grew up she was going to live in Mexico, have a huge estate, be a perfect lady, and be married to the handsomest man in the land. When she asked me what I am going to be, I said I didn't know yet. But I do know something. I will never be a lady. NEVER!

April 30

Today, we walked down to the beach to play with the raft Papa brought with us. We took it out on the lagoon, and it was super fun! The best part was when Sofia fell off the boat and her dress floated up to her chest! It was hilarious!

May 3

Today there was a knock at the door. When I answered, a man wearing a suit came in and said firmly,

"I need to speak with your father." I asked why he needed him, but I was to frightened and ran to go get Papa.

When I got to Papa, I said very quickly,

"Papa there is someone at the door and he wants to speak with and he sent me here so hurry!" Papa looked and me strange, and then something clicked inside of him. He ran almost as fast as I did into the kitchen where the stranger was waiting.