Stephanie Gale never knew her true parentage. For as long as she could remember, she was in foster care. She was so determined to find out who her parents were, but soon, she gave in, and let it go. Stephanie's life hasn't ever been easy. As she grows up, she realizes it never will be easy either. Along the way, she finds happiness, sorrow, hope, failure, love, and hate. Stephanie knows she'll never be a normal girl. What's stopping her, though?

To the brave women of Haiti, grandmothers, mothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, daughters, and friends, on this shore and other shores. We have stumbled but we will not fall. Much thanks to my father and mother, Andre and Rose Danticat. My brothers Kelly, Karl, and Eliab Andre. My cousins Nick and Jean. My uncle Joseph and Aunt Denise in Haiti. My uncle Franck here. My uncle Max, wherever you are. Much thanks to the old gang, Chantal, Maryse, Stephanie, Michele and Sandra. The whole gang at Barnard! Suzanne Guard-my guardian angel. To Christopher Dunn for muito amor and support. And Laura Hruska, for believing I could.