In 1977, twelve-year-old Lane, living with her family on an army base in the politically tense Panama Canal Zone, tries to cope with the aftermath of a fatal car crash.
Details events surrounding the building of the Panama Canal, covering its origins, construction, and function, as well as the transfer of its control from the United States to Panama.
Presents controversies about building the Panama Canal and offers first-person narratives from people who lived through or were impacted by this event.
Discusses early attempts to build a canal across Panama, describes the trials workers faced in the process of constructing the Panama Canal, including widespread yellow fever and malaria, and explains how the canal is used.
