The novel centers around the Rivera family, who move from Mexico to Delaware so their teenage daughter Maribel can attend a special education school after suffering a traumatic brain injury. The story is narrated from multiple perspectives, primarily Maribel's mother Alma and their neighbor Mayor Toro, a Panamanian-American teenager.

Alma and her husband Arturo struggle to adjust to life in America and learn English. They befriend their neighbors, the Toro family, whose son Mayor develops a romantic interest in Maribel despite her disability. Their relationship blossoms as Mayor finds ways to communicate with the non-verbal Maribel.

However, Maribel is sexually assaulted by a local white boy named Garrett. This traumatic event causes tensions between the families over whether Mayor and Maribel should be allowed to see each other. In a tragic climax, Arturo is shot and killed by Garrett's father while searching for Maribel after she goes missing.

Ultimately, Maribel shows signs of improvement from her brain injury, suggesting her relationship with Mayor helped her recovery. But Alma decides they will return to Mexico after Arturo's death, having experienced both hope and tragedy in their quest to build a better life in America.

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