The book revolves around the life of Anita de la Torre, an 11-year-old girl living in the Dominican Republic under the tyranny of the dictator, El Jefe. Her extended family are running to the US to avoid being persecuted by the regime, but Anita’s family are continuing to rebel against the oppression. The SIM (the Dominican secret police) come by to their home to investigate for any suspicious activity, leaving the family feeling scared for their life.
Meanwhile, Anita meets the son of the American consul, Mr. Washburn, Sam, when he moves in next door. After spending more time with him, she believes herself to be in love with Sam and confesses her feelings in her diary.
Anita’s sister, Lucinda, becomes the next target of El Jefe, as he often had a penchant for raping younger girls. To stop this from happening. Lucinda is forced by the family to leave the US, leaving Anita all alone. The situation at home becomes worse, with secret meetings of rebellion being held in her house and her school closing down. Anita’s father ends up embroiled in a plot that kills El Jefe and is taken as a prisoner.
Fearing for her life, Anita and the remaining members of her family migrate to the US. Though her father is eventually killed, the rebellion is successful with the Dominican Republic hosting democratic elections for the first time in 30 years.
