A first-hand account of 4 Cubans escaping to Miami ("jumping off") on a raft. Beset with dangers (storm, sharks, scarcity of food & water, mental confusion) they finally manage to drift to the Florida Keys. The real dangers are not in the sea, however, but in the changing alliances on board: Miguel, the titual head, is soon rendered unconsious with thirst and illness, his son David is strong but young andnaive; Luis is harmless but emotionally unstable; Toro is strong but hot-headed and devious. David and Toro must learn to get along and ultimately trust each other if they are to survive their voyage.

This could have been a great adventure story but is marred with shifting voices (every man's perspective is given except Luis') stilted writing, and woeful pacing. Given that the author is a non-native English speaker perhaps something was lost in translation.

Nonetheless, readers (such as teens) who aren't fussy abut language, will find the action engagin and still feel some emotional punch at the end when the men reach Florida safely. ( )