in the summer of 1943 when Elli, twelve, longs for the exciting life led by her older brother, Bubi. Elli spends her days doing typical things young girls of her age do with her friend Bonnie and she sometimes go to the Danube to swim. The river also serves as a place for watering herds of animals, such as sheep. Elli lives with her parents at a time when Germans are threatening most people, other than the Aryan race. Elli and her family, Jews, are soon targeted. They are forced to wear the bright yellow star on their clothing at all times, Elli refused at first to go out, though Bubi wears the star like a badge of honor. When Elli attends a final school function, the school having been closed due to the impending war. She encounters a classmate who notes the star on her coat. Elli notes the sadness in his eyes as he looks at the emblem and it seems that he already knows that those of Elli's fate will be facing hardships in the days to come.