This is a novel about Kilina Vela, which takes place over a three year period after an untimely accident takes the life of her father. Written mostly as a memoir, it's partly fact but mostly an imaginary story of a girl and the people who make n impact on her life. The story take s place during her college years, but flashbacks give us a brief history of her family and how she has arrived where she is in present day Chula Vista, California. In addition, there are chapters that are solely dedicated to her thoughts on immigration, war, national service, friendship and spirituality-as well as how words are used to inspire, intimidate, and otherwise manipulate people. Along the way she sites famous people (e.g. Maya Angelou, Janet Attwood, Fannie Flagg and Winston Churchill) and numerous other characters that make her laugh and cry. Ultimately, Kilina decides to become a teacher, like her dad, so that she can fulfill a lifelong dream of giving back to her community and completing her dad's legacy.