The Jimenez family of five has heard of the promising work and living conditions in California, so they decide to uproot from their family home in Mexico. They join the thousands of migrant workers who move around California. At first they are excited, but the new lifestyle soon takes a toll on all of them. They move frequently, following a circuit from Corocoran for cotton picking to Santa Maria for strawberries and to Fresno for grapes, repeating almost endlessly.
As a child, Francisco, the protagonist, adapts fairly well to his changing environment. He attends school for a few months out of the year, but he's constantly moving. He struggles to learn English and make good grades since he's working most of the time and seemingly always changing schools. At his first school in Santa Maria, he accidentally gets into a fight which brings great shame to his family. They almost refuse to allow him to return to school, but he makes it. He discovers a newfound love for art at that school, even winning a prize.
Right about this time baby Torito is born and becomes ill. The family is desperate to save him, but his odds are slim considering they have barely enough money for food much less doctors. Luckily Torito survives. He's soon joined by Ruben and Rorra, two more healthy little babies. The rapidly expanding family is very tight-knit. They really love one another and take time to find joy in the midst of their difficult lives. One day they adopt a pet parrot who sticks with the family for some time until Papa accidentally kills him.
Francisco really hits his stride in school. Despite the frequent moves, he is finding an inner talent for the learning. He devotes more and more time to his studies, starting a notebook in which he keeps track of all of his assignments. In one school, he becomes friends with his teacher, Mr. Lema. This man has such a profound impact on the lonely boy that he inspires him to keep trying to attend school even after he becomes old enough to work with his older brother and parents in the fields. Of course, the relationship doesn't last, but Francisco redoubles his efforts in school afterwards.
The book ends with a series of tragedies. For Francisco, a cautious, thoughtful child, his possessions are his pride. He takes great care of his belongings and is especially fond of his penny collection. Unforgivably his sister uses his pennies to buy gum balls one day, and he's devastated. Not long after, the Jimenez' house burns down. They are all safe, but all of their possessions are lost, including Francisco's notebook. Missing the notes, he tries to remain optimistic and to keep progressing as best he can in school. After losing their house, the family moves back to Santa Maria again. Here Francisco really pours his best efforts into school, hoping to use his education to make his family money someday soon. Out of the blue one day border patrol shows up to his school. Since he isn't a legal citizen of the United States, Francisco is deported back to Mexico without question. He doesn't even have time to tell his family or to know what fate befalls them.
