Taflinger's memoir, originally written for her children, is an account of French family life and a child's, and then a girl's, growing up in that warmth and security. At age twelve, her prospects darken and war and occupation become the design of her days. Her story of the years 1940-45 is alive with details and experiences that reveal how ordinary people prevail privately and publicly in a time of extremes. Taflinger married an American pilot, and eventually came to the US and raised a family in Pullman, Washington where she continues to live. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)