Suberman, who was a toddler at the time of many of the book's key events, has expertly reconstructed her story from family reminiscences. But she's added meat to the memories, fleshing out details and creating well-paced scenes that read like fiction. Her Concordia is filled with many charming, idiosyncratic characters. One is Miss Brookie Simmons, a benevolent spinster who gives the Bronsons lodging. With a history of pogroms behind them, the Bronson parents wonder where to draw the line when it comes to associating with the town's Christians.
Tension arises when the two reach different conclusions.
Much as she loves her garden and friends in Concordia, she longs to live among Jews. When Suberman's older sister Miriam falls for a local boy, the tryst tests the family's allegiance to the town. Throughout the book, Suberman maintains a light touch when dealing with race and religion. By the end of the narrative, readers might feel torn as to whether or not the Bronsons should leave the town. But like the natives of Concordia, they'll come to love this endearing Jewish family, and might not want to let them go.