Zomorod Yousefzadeh narrates this novel and notes that, even though she is only 11 years old, this is her fourth move. Zomorod goes on to explain that she was born in Abadan, Iran, and when she was in second grade, her family went to Compton, California. Two years later, they moved back to Iran, and then back to Compton a year afterwards. Now, as she goes into sixth grade, they’re moving to Newport Beach, California.

Her family is mindful of their purchases, only buying what they know won’t be damaged if it’s packed up for a move. When they arrive, they meet the landlady, Mrs. Mavis. She tries to pronounce their last name but struggles after the first syllable. Mrs. Mavis occasionally shouts as she passes over the key, as if the family can’t understand her. Mrs. Mavis also gives them a binder with the “Rules for Condominium Living,” which Zomorod’s father asks her to read. Zomorod’s mother does not know much English, frustrating Zomorod, who doesn’t “want to be her translator for the rest of my life” (5).