The setting of this book starts in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The Mariah family lives in the time setting of the great depression, and their problems start when the father, Josef Mariah, loses work. He plans to move them to a primitive little island Called Paita. Benita Mariah was very spoiled back in Guayaquil, but now will have to work on her father’s new coconut farm on Paita. While Benita is still in total misery on Paita, there is one good thing. A handsome older man named Raul. Will Benita ever get Raul to notice her? Can her family survive on such a primitive little island? And just how many adventures will Benita have to take on this mystical island, before discovering her true self?

        This book is very believable. The characters are also very likeable. Although the main character, Benita, does not quite know her purpose in life in the beginning, as the story goes on, she builds a good strong character. I think this is a great book. It is very well written and full of well thought-up adventures, although I was slightly disappointed in the end. I am a stickler for happy endings, and this book left me feeling empty and depressed. Although the run of events in the end was depressing, it had a deeper meaning where Benita has found herself and is like a new person after her Paita experiences.