Tragedy, comedy, and historical fiction come together to relate this bittersweet childhood tale. Set in Nazi-occupied southern France, the story follows young Dominique, who is a mere seven years old when his father is arrested by the Gestapo in May of 1943. The protagonist then flees Marseille with his mother and cousin Gérard, escaping starvation and seeking the safety of the countryside. Chronicling the liberation of the Jewish people, the narrator's miraculous reunion with his father, and the father's amazing story of survival, this moving novel illustrates the challenges of starting life all over again.