Most good stories start with a fundamental list of ingredients: the initial situation, conflict, complication, climax, suspense, denouement, and conclusion. Great writers sometimes shake up the recipe and add some spice.
Exposition
California Dreamin'
When Francisco and his family decide to move their digs from California to Mexico, everyone is on board (literally: they take a train). But seriously, Francisco's family is ready for a big new adventure. Oh right, there are these border patrol guys with guns that they have to avoid when they crawl under the fence to enter the United States, but they're still expecting life to be ridiculously awesome up in good old sunny CA.
Rising Action
This Cali Place is Okay, We Guess
We'll admit it: California doesn't totally live up to the hype. Francisco and his family spend a lot of time moving around looking for work, which isn't always fun—but at least now Francisco gets to go to school. Unfortunately though, since they move all the time, he's always starting and leaving in the middle of the year, plus the teachers kinda just ignore him because he doesn't speak English. But it's a start. All these new struggles in California definitely provide for some serious drama.
Climax
Mr. Lema, Superhero Teacher
If you're having trouble finding a super major turning point in this book, we're with you. There isn't one huge event that turns everything around for Francisco—but there is a small event that's super important in his life: when he meets Mr. Lema. Mr. L is an awesome teacher and he gets Francisco stoked about learning English. They only spend a wee bit of time together, but Mr. L makes a huge impact on our main man. In fact, Francisco will never be the same again, so even though it's not super obvious, that's how we know this is the climax.
Falling Action
California Coastin'
After Mr. L gets Francisco psyched about learning, things just start coasting along. Our head honcho gets used to working long hours and moving around a lot, and he gets even better at school. We'll admit that there are a few little hiccups along the way—like when Rorra steals Francisco's favorite pennies or when their house burns down (okay, that's a big hiccup)—but overall life is going pretty smoothly for Francisco.
Resolution
Sad Times at El Camino Junior High
Things are going so well now that Francisco has the whole work and school thing figured out—he's even memorized part of the Declaration of Independence for class and he's ready to recite that bad boy any minute. But right when he's about to get some major glory, the border patrol folks show up to take him away. And with that, we've got a pretty stinky resolution to this chap's California adventure.