It's 1942, and eight year old Katarina's carefree life in Slovakia is about to change. Jews are being rounded up and Katarina and her aunt Lena and uncle Teo are in danger. Katarina does not understand why she is considered Jewish since her family has never been observant, but she trusts her beloved aunt to keep her safe. Frustrated and scared, Katarina is forced to hide in a peasnat household. The weeks turn into months, and Katatina waits anxiously for her aunt to come fo her. Because of Katarina's red hair, she is distrusted by the superstitious villagers, and when her Judaism is discovered, she is asked to leave. Katarina wanders alone from village to village, constantly at risk because of the persecution of Jews in her country, and confused by the threat that hangs over her. Throughout her plight, Katarina's spirit is maintained by a fierce belief that everything and everyone she once loved will await her at the end of the war.