Eleven-year-old Mia Tang and her parents are enjoying the fruits of their labor. It is 1994 and, as new owners of the Calivista Motel in Anaheim, California, they are beginning to feel prosperous. On a warm August evening, they are hosting a barbecue at the pool for the residents and some of the small investors who helped to make their purchase possible. The guests begin talking about Governor Wilson’s reelection strategy to drum up resentment against immigrants who are in the US unauthorized. Mia’s best friend Lupe is disturbed by the governor’s plan. 

Hank, one of the motel’s regular tenants, notices a news story on TV about a lost dog found right next to the Calivista. He changes the motel’s sign to capitalize on this notoriety, and the bookings immediately increase.

Mia and Lupe start their fall school term in sixth grade the following day. On their way to school, they’re met by Jason Yao, the son of the Calivista’s mean former owner. Mia likes Jason, but Lupe doesn’t. Jason is assigned to a different sixth-grade class while the girls learn that their new teacher is Mrs. Welch.