This book has been graded for interest at 4-8 years.

This book was published 2003 by HarperCollins Publishers .

Arthur Dorros, author of many highly touted and best-selling picture books, has written his first novel. To research this book, he traveled extensively in the Balkans and lived briefly in "The Children's Village," which features prominently in the story. His previous books have been named ALA Notables, CBC-NCSS Notables, NYPL Best Books, and more. He lives in Seattle, Washington. Henry Cole has illustrated more than fifty books for children, including "And Tango Makes Three," "Oink?," and "Little Bo in France. " A former elementary school teacher, he now writes and paints full time.