When the Germans invade Russia in 1941, ten year old Tatjana is living in a small village outside Leningrad with her parents and two year old sister. Bombing destroys their dacha, and soon after the Germans arrive. Starving, Tatjana's mother trades everything they have for food but it is not enough, and young Tatjana makes a long journey on foot to a town that still has food and people willing to help. This trek is the first test of the strength of will and fortitude that Tatjana possesses. These traits serve Tatjana well when she is placed on a train to Germany to work first on a farm and then a series of factories. She meets both harsh and kind Germans, and it through the generosity of the latter that she survives the war, only to be met with hostility when she returns to her native land.

Although this book is written for children, I found the story interesting because of the author's descriptions of life in the Soviet Union during the German invasion and occupation. It's also remarkable that the author survived, given her extreme youth when she was sent by herself to work in Germany. The book is based on her diary entries; it would be interesting to read her diary in its entirety. ( )