Casey's been waiting her whole twelve years for her gambler father to "hit it big." When her father ends up in the hospital, it looks like she will wait forever. Sent to live with her grandmother, Paw-Paw, in San Francisco's Chinatown, Casey just doesn't fit in at home, at school or anywhere. Then Paw-Paw tells her stories about the mother she never knew, about the Owl Spirit that guides their family, and about her true Chinese name. As Casey listens to Paw-Paw, her cultural identity and sense of belonging grow. Renewed and strengthened, she takes her first steps toward adulthood. Set in the 1960's, this vivid portrayal of Chinatown blends historical fact and folklore to create a coming-of-age story rich with insight into Chinese and Chinese American cultures.