I can't remember when I added this to my TBR (think I heard about it at a conference that I went too) but I'm glad that I ended up reading it. It was a sweet story and I like how the Spanish was added into the story. I think this would be appropriate for a middle school student too. 
 I liked Lucia and her relationship that she has with her family. I loved reading about what her life was like and what she did for fun. I can't even imagine being set to live in another country where I didn't know the language very well and be separated at a young age too. I'm glad that Lucia had her brother and was concerned that things were going to go bad when they were sent to that one place before going off to live with the Baxters. I'm glad that Baxters ended up being such a great host family. Usually when you read books about foster kids, the story is usually not as happy as it was for Lucia and her brother. 
 All of the food that is mentioned in the book made me hungry and want to eat Cuban food. 
 There aren't many books that take place during the 60's in Cuba and a great tie in for a History class as a supplemental book. 
 I was surprised the way it ended with her parents but I'm glad it ended the way it did.