Barbara is 25 and lives in Accra, the capital of Ghana. As an eight-year-old girl, she shared the fate of thousands of Ghanaian children who were put to slave labour by their own parents. For years Barbara functioned in a world full of abuse, violence and fear but she survived. Although full of anger, she has been supporting her parents and pays for the family, but their expectations keep rising. One day, together with her eldest brother, Kweku, she returns to her hometown to solve some family problems. Before that can happen, Barbara has to finally confront her parents.

Jagoda and Zuzia giggle in the opening scenes in the way that only 11-year-old girls can. Together they are the center of their own changing world. On the face of it, not much happens in the lives of these Polish best friends, but big changes are on the way. The end of primary school is in sight, and the girls are impatiently awaiting first love, budding breasts and first periods.

Zoja and Lea spend their days running wild in the forest, squabbling charmingly, making potions from wildflowers, and whispering spells into the wind. Published in 1922, the well-known Polish book King Matt the First—a story about a boy who takes over as king after the death of his parents and soon after goes to war—inspires the girls to wonder about current world affairs. With the war looming across the Polish-Ukrainian border, the story once again resonates today.