The novel opens with Cato Bontjes van Beek's standing in Berlin's notorious Alexanderplatz Prison in March of 1943. Cato stands beneath a tiny barred window of her jail cell, pondering how she received a conviction of treason against Hitler. She quietly retrieves a flower her mother placed on her clean laundry. Friedman describes Cato's isolation and longing for human company, and her hope that her death sentence will be commuted to life in prison. Cato copes by singing and waiting daily for the sunlight to shine through her tiny window.

Friedman flashes back to 1920. She introduces Cato's parents and their families. She describes their backgrounds and lets readers know how Cato entered her warm, noisy, and exhilarating family on November14, 1920.

Friedman takes readers through Cato's life, showing in many ways that she is like each reader. She enjoyed sports, playing, and climbing trees with friends and family.

Friedman points...