Yunior, a 12-year-old boy whose parents are from the Dominican Republic, narrates this story, which takes place in northern New Jersey. Yunior and his family—his older brother Rafa, younger sister Madai, and his parents (whom he calls Mami and Papi)—are preparing to attend the party of Mami's sister, Tia Yrma, who has recently arrived in the Bronx from the Dominican Republic.