A young girl must navigate the horrors of the Holocaust and the loss of her identity as her family flees their home. When Alicia and her family are forced to abandon their life in Krakow to escape the Nazis, they leave behind everything, including a cherished portrait of Alicia. As they desperately seek refuge across various countries, their former life becomes a distant memory, and Alicia grapples with the loss of her possessions and the erosion of her sense of self.

The novel is described as a rich, moving, and sweeping story that captures the devastating impact of the Holocaust on a family. The premise suggests a narrative focused on resilience and the enduring power of memory, as Alicia's quest to recover a lost portrait symbolizes her fight to reclaim her past and identity. The story's focus on a young protagonist's experience during such a tumultuous historical period indicates a deeply personal and emotional exploration of survival and loss. The narrative arc appears to build towards a poignant resolution centered on the recovery of what was lost.