Fleeing away from chaos and leaving his family behind, the 11-year-old finds himself in Cuba, hoping and dreaming for the day he can finally make music in New York City with his parents. Along the way, a kind girl named Paloma befriends Daniel. However, even in this country, the two realize that there is not only greed and sadness in Germany, but also here in Cuba. In the end, will the two ever find peace and happiness or will they find themselves reaching for something unreachable?
Right at the beginning of the book, the author's words made it clear how lonely and hopeless the main character, Daniel, felt. Throughout the book, the characters’ emotions are vividly shown various times, making it as if you are right there with them. In addition to the author’s vivid word choice, the development of Daniel and Paloma’s friendship is gradual, making it seem more realistic than some stories. Because of these things, I liked the book more than most. However, I wish there was more of a clear story to both of the main characters’ backstories, instead of just small snippets, which is why I would rate it a 4 out of 5. Anyone who is interested in a poetic book that includes a realistic plot with some bits of world history and Cuban culture, this is a great book to read.