内容简介：
Paloma Ferrer and her family move to Madrid in search of a prosperous future only to become embroiled in the country's bloody civil war. Paloma's parents, distressed over her two older brothers involved in the resistance movement, virtually ignore the quiet little girl. Teased and tormented by her older brother and sister, Paloma quickly learns she must fend for herself. Through the ravages of war, Paloma becomes an innocent but keen observer of the drama surrounding her. As she grows into a teenager, Paloma faces a new emotional crisis when her sister dies in childbirth. At the crucial age of fifteen, she must now care for her infant nephew. Lonely and isolated from her peers, Paloma develops a passion for books. She becomes more adept at dealing with fictitious characters and situations than with the real world. Through her reading, Paloma develops her intellect and sense of identity, but her newfound strength is tested when she must choose between loyalty to her family and her desire for independence.