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When you read this book, you will gain a greater understanding of Cuba's revolution, and the impact it had on people who lived in Cuba who were "eliminated" because they did not buy into Castro's Communist government. In the early 60's, Cuban children were being removed from their parents' homes to be indoctrinated in government boarding schools. Lucia's father, considered an anti-revolutionary, lost his bank job and through family betrayal, had all their hard-earned jewelry and possessions taken from them by the government. The loss of freedom, persecution, and the idea that children were being taken away from their families, led Lucia's father and mother to make a very hard decision... This is the coming of age story of Lucia, a child who once lived in a free Cuba, only to have her entire childhood taken away from her as a young teenager, when her parents, considered anti-revolutionary, sold a pair of diamond earrings Lucia's mom had inherited from her mother, to provide exit visas for Lucia and her younger brother to flee Cuba. Operation Pedro Pan was a plan to place over 14,000 "unaccompanied" Cuban children in homes and orphanages around the United States, with the help of the Catholic Welfare Bureau. Lucia and her brother were placed with a family in Nebraska. Would she be able to go back to her homeland? Would she be able to keep a friendship with her best friend who remained in Cuba? Would she be accepted into this new culture? Would she ever see her parents again? No young teenager should be faced with these daily nagging questions... Bravo, Christina Diaz Gonzalez for capturing your own piece of history to write this compelling novel for young adults!

Thought this was a great read...I learned a lot about horses...some parts are challenging due to difficult subject matter. Made for a good book club discussion!