Only three weeks into the seventh grade, Samantha Pacepa's life is turned upside down when her teacher, Miss Valentina - a.k.a. The Greek Goddess - announces that their class is going on a three-day excursion to New York City. Being an immigrant's kid from Romania has always meant living with lots of rules, including no overnight school trips - ANYWHERE. But when the most sacred of all the Pacepa Cardinal Commandments is broken - The Family Sticks Together, No Matter What - home life totally breaks down, forcing Sam to question where her loyalties lie. Does she join forces with Nick, her older brother, by making a stand and walking out on the family, or does she take her parents' side? After all, weren't they suffering too? Suddenly, not being able to go on a trip to New York isn't all that important anymore ...
