Chapter 1: News                                             P.4

Chapter 2: Packing                                         P.8

Chapter 3: Leaving Home                             P.10

Chapter 4: A New Life                                    P. 21

Chapter 5: The Visit                                        P. 22

Chapter 6: The Letter                                      P. 24

Chapter 7: Support and Love                         P.28   Chapter 8: Sorry...I Guess                              P. 32

Chapter 9: A Good Life (Finally!)                    P. 35   

           Table of contents 

                Chapter 1

                        News

5th grade was a tough year for Marta Alvarez! She was going to Oakville Private Middle School. She would miss Aarya, Juniper, Jenna, and Imani because the would still be in Elm Tree Elementary and Middle School. She would miss and  think of them when she went to school .In summer break she found out from Imani that Celia had moved to Minnesota because she was going to Oakville Middle School and never wanted to see Marta again. She was glad she didn't have to be seen by Celia again.

Marta was so happy she began jumping up and down with joy.

Hooray!

Marta's mother called her in the dining room. "Me and  this woman named Mrs. Liu had a talk the other day. She seemed very nice. I told her that we were poor and if she wanted to foster you until we get enough money to pay bills and stuff.

She said yes. You will be leaving in a few days. Go and start packing," Ms. Alvarez said. Marta was heartbroken. Still she went upstairs to pack. She looked outside and saw a beautiful woman with her husband, daughter and son.

The people came inside her house. "Hi! Welcome! Come sit down! Marta!" Ms. Alvarez called. "Coming Mama!"  Marta replied back. When Marta came downstairs, Mrs. Liu came straight to her. "Call me Ms. Hanna" she said. "This is my husband Mr. Liu. This is my daughter Linh and my son Tam," she added.  "My name is Marta," Marta said reluctantly. "This dress if for you," Mrs. Liu said. "Thank you," Ms. Hanna." "It was a pleasure to meet you." Mrs. Liu said.

Then they left.

              Chapter 2

                    Packing

"You're right. She IS nice," Marta replied dully.  I'll go  pack now." Marta went straight to her room. She started packing her dresses, clothes her favorite toys, and her favorite books. She was done packing in an hour. She ate dinner and changed in her pajamas that she sewed herself. Then she went straight to bed.

              Chapter 3                                     Leaving

It was the day Marta was going to leave. Her mother gave her the directions. "Bye, see you soon!," Ms. Alvarez yelled. "Bye Mom!" Marta replied.

When you get to the end of the forest, take a right onto State Street. Turn Left on to Willow Road. Then go straight on Blackville Ave. Look for house number 456. House 456 is Ms. Hanna's house.

- Mom

Marta followed all the directions until she finally reached house 456. Their house looks like a mansion! They must be wealthy, Marta thought as she walked up to the front step of the house. She rang the doorbell. RING! RING! Mrs. Liu answered the door. "Welcome! I will show you your room. Also, Linh has been eager to make friends with you and play with you," Mrs. Liu exclaimed.

Linh's bedroom

Marta's bedroom

Tam's bedroom

She went upstairs with Mrs. Liu. Mrs. Liu showed Marta her room. "It's beautiful Ms. Hanna. Thank you," Marta said sadly.  "No problem dear. Why are you sad?" Mrs. Liu asked. "I just  miss Mama," Marta said. "Mr. Liu can take you tomorrow to see Ms. Alvarez. Ok?" Mrs. Liu  exclaimed. "That's perfect! Thanks!" Marta replied happily while hugging Ms. Hanna. Behind them Linh giggled. "Hi Marta. Let's go to the pool. Tam's waiting," Linh said. Linh led Marta to her room. There she had two bathing suits. "Choose the one you want," Linh exclaimed.  Marta chose the blue dress. Blue was Marta's favorite color anyway. Marta went to her room to change. Marta was amazed by the pool. It was big indeed. She did not know how to swim though, so she only dipped in her feet.

"Marta, why aren't you coming in the water? It's so nice!" Tam asked. "I don't know how to swim," Marta replied. "You should of told me. I could of gotten the floaty for you," Tam exclaimed. "Oh. Sorry. Can you get the floaty for me please? " Marta asked. "Sure." Tam brought the floaty to Marta. Marta went in the water. Tam then said, "Watch me! I'm gonna touch the bottom of the pool!" He put on his goggles and dove for the bottom. When he finally did reach the bottom, he did a backflip; which was rather slow, and then came back up to the surface. Marta was amazed. I wish I could do that, Marta thought. "Oh yeah? You think you're the champ? Watch this!" Linh said. Linh dove at the bottom, then she did a roundoff, back handspring backflip slowly and came to the surface. That's cool. How can she hold her breath for that long? Marta thought.

Tam

Linh

One of the things that Marta wanted was to learn how to swim. "Linh. Can you teach me how to swim? " Marta asked.  "Sure!" Linh replied.  Linh brought Marta to the shore. There she had a kick board. "We're going to use this to kick. Let me demonstrate." She took the kickboard, put her head in the water and kicked. There were splashes trailing behind her.

It was Marta's turn. Marta remembered what Linh did. It was taking forever to get to the other side. Linh cheered from above. After what it felt like a million years, the board hit the wall.  She was happy that she learned the first step of swimming, but she was getting hungry. It was also late, so she got out of the pool and went inside to take a shower.

At dinner Marta was smiling. She thought these people would mistreat her, but they were being so sweet and kind to her. Marta missed Mama, but she knew she would be visiting her tomorrow. She went to bed happily.

              Chapter 4

                   A New Life

Marta's new life was full of swimming, playing, and having a wealthy peoples life. Marta loved her new life and knew that growing up with only a mom and as a poor girl was tough because she had to face working hard day and night without getting much money and sewing clothes almost all the time, but here, she could do anything freely. She didn't even have to worry about getting cuts. This was her new life, but it had only begun.

After breakfast, Marta and Mr. Liu went to visit went to visit Ms. Alvarez. "Mama! It's so good to see you!" Marta exclaimed. "I know dear, but you can't stay for long. Ms. Jess a lady that keeps poor people with her until they earn enough money to make a living will pick me up. Vroom. Vroom, comes a noise at Marta's cottage. "This is the only reason I kept you safe at Mrs. Liu's house. Bye dear. Hopefully soon you can visit me. I will miss you very much," Ms. Alvarez said sadly.  "Bye Mama," Marta replied in an even sadder tone while hugging her.  A lady who happened to be Ms. Jess came inside the cottage. "Ms. Alvarez. It is time to go," Ms. Jess called.

                     Chapter 5

                            The Visit

Marta went home crying. Mr. Liu put his hand on Marta's shoulder. "It's okay. You'll see your mother soon and besides, did you know the same thing happened to Ms. Hanna?" Mr. Liu asked. "No," Marta said. "Let me tell you the story. When Ms. Hanna was 5 years old, her father passed, and her mother was losing money because of her company, so  Ms. Hanna was sent to a friend's house while her mother was trying to earn money. Finally, when Ms. Hanna's mother got enough money, she gave Ms. Hanna a good living. That's exactly what will happen to you. I promise," Mr. Liu told Marta. 

               Chapter 6

                    The Letter

When Marta and Mr. Liu reached the house Marta ran straight to her room. She just  laid down on her bed. She did not want to talk or play. 

She ate dinner in a quiet manner. Linh came to Marta's room. "Hey Marta. Hey. What happened?" Linh whispered. "Mama's going with a lady  to stay with her until she can make a life on her own properly," Marta whispered back.

"Oh. I'm sorry. " Linh said while walking out the door.

Marta didn't eat anything that night. She was just too upset. The next morning, Marta received a letter. It was from Mama!

Dear Marta, 

You will stay with the Liu's for a few years. When 

I get enough money I will pick you up. Ms. Jess is treating me very good. Ms. Jess will help me look for a job after and we might have to move across the country, but let's not focus on that right now. I miss you and think of you very much. I hope you're doing the same. I'm living very close to you. You can still visit me and write letters

-Mom address: 13 Willow Rd.