After traveling to Tijuana, Mexico, Noemi and her mother are denied entry at the border and must find the refugee in charge of the notebook, an unofficial ledger of those waiting to cross into the United States. Includes author's note.

Before, the sun drenched the yard. Our neighbor's laughter danced in the streets. Now, the streets are quiet. Papa is gone, and we are no longer safe here. We are leaving, too. In this moving and stunningly-illustrated picture book, Noemi and Mama flee their home in Mexico, and head for the US border. There, they look for "The Notebook Keeper"-- the person in charge of a ledger for those waiting to cross, and they add their names to the book. As the days turn into weeks, and hope dwindles, the little girl looks for kindness around her-- and inside herself. One day, when the Notebook Keeper's own name is called to cross, Noemi and her Mama are chosen--for the generosity in their hearts-- to take her place.

Antes, el sol bañaba el patio. Antes, los vecinos danzaban en la calle. Pero ahora, papá se ha ido, y Noemi y su mamá se van también. En el puerto de entrada de San Ysidro en México, Noemi y su mamá buscan a "la guardiana de la libreta" -- una refugiada que escribe los nombres de las familias que buscan asilo en los Estados Unidos -- y añaden sus nombres en la lista. Después aguardan, llenas de ilusión. Inspirado en hechos reales, este hermoso cuento ilustrado es una celebración de la humanidad y la bondad, aún en los momentos más oscuros. "Before, the sun drenched the yard. Our neighbor's laughter danced in the streets. Now, the streets are quiet. Papa is gone, and we are no longer safe here. We are leaving, too. In this moving and stunningly-illustrated picture book, Noemi and Mama flee their home in Mexico, and head for the US border. There, they look for The Notebook Keeper-- the person in charge of a ledger for those waiting to cross, and they add their names to the book. As the days turn into weeks, and hope dwindles, the little girl looks for kindness around her-- and inside herself. One day, when the Notebook Keeper's own name is called to cross, Noemi and her Mama are chosen--for the generosity in their hearts-- to take her place."--Provided by publisher.