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)