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Ha's the main character, a young girl with a single, hard-working mother, and 3 brothers. She lives in Saigon, which is very hot. The main conflict is that Saigon is being targeted by Communists, making it a deadly place to live. Her father, a naval officer, has been missing for a long time now, causing grief for Ha's mother. She spends her days peacefully, waiting for her papaya tree to grow.

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Things take a turn as prices increases, causing a food shortage in the family. However, Uncle Son, a friend of Ha's father, had a proposal. He secured them a spot on a navy ship leaving and wants them to go somewhere safer. Ha and her family takes some of their belongings and boards the ship.

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On the refugee ship, conditions were tough. They had to ration food and water, and the cabins were crowded. They spent 3 weeks on the ship, before an American vessel arrives with supplies and brings the ship to Guam.

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Ha and her family were brought to a refugee camp. They spend some time there, before getting allowed the permission to go to a country. They can either choose to go to France, the United States, or Canada. They choose to go to the U.S.

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They travel to Florida. Here, they are brought to another camp. They meet a man from Alabama, named Mr. Johnston. Ha thinks he's a cowboy due to his hat. He actually runs a car dealership and sponsors Ha's family's move to the town. He helps them find a rental house, schools, and jobs.

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Many people are unwelcoming to Ha and her family at first. Only a neighbor, Ms. Washington, is kind to them, and offers to tutor Ha and her brothers in English. At school, Ha gets bullied by a boy which she names "Pink Boy", and is usually isolated from everyone else.