In 1939 Josie, Donna, and Rosalie graduated from high school and looked forward to their next life journey. Rosalie marries at eighteen; Donna enters the work world, and Josie spends the summer preparing for college. At the same time, a war percolated in Europe and Southeast Asia which seemed too far away to ever affect them. 

At the same time, three girls in Germany prepare for life after secondary school. Marta travels to Paris; Leisel stays at home, and Heidi becomes a nanny in Poland. They all are too young to understand the consequences of their fathers being officers in the Nazi party.

For the next six years, all of the girls will experience drastic changes. They will experience love and loss, sacrifice and hardship, and as they come of age, they wonder if they will ever live in a world offering peace and happiness.