Book 1, A Long Day and a Long Night, Chapters 1 & 2 Summary

In 1939, there are streets of brownstone houses all over Brooklyn, New York. Although these brownstones used to be inhabited by upper-class white people, most of them are now rented or owned by immigrants from the West Indies. The Boyce family, who are from Barbados, rent part of one such house, which they share with several other people.

Ten-year-old Selina Boyce has no memory of Barbados, but wishes that she could be part of the wealthy white family who previously inhabited her house. She is bored one day, and wanders around the house. Selina argues with her older sister Ina, who is lying in bed with menstrual cramps. Selina does not understand these mysterious pains, but she has no patience for Ina. Selina finds her father on the...