Young Delyla Thomas has been assigned a project about her ancestors during Spring Break. She is forced to stay with her Aunt Claire, while the rest of her family goes to the beach. Aunt Claire is her father's sister, who lives in a green house with a purple roof. Delyla thinks of Aunt Claire as a wild, whacky aunt. That is, until she finds out Aunt Claire invented the world's first time machine, and she would like Delyla's help to use it. Delyla agrees and travels back in time, where she meets her ancestors, Diana and Mary Anne. Diana is a German who is fierce, defiant, and strong willed. Mary Anne is a calm girl from France who can be a pain sometimes and is easily frustrated. Diana's father, Friedrick, leaves to join the Nazi army and bad blood forms between he and Diana, who dislikes everything the Nazis stand for. This awkward anger causes Diana and Delyla to run away to France, where they meet Mary Anne and her mother, Rochelle, who agreed to take them in. Mary Anne is upset that Diana and Delyla are staying in her house; and one night, Diana decides to run away once again, but Delyla cleverly devises a plan to get Mary Anne to follow them. The two girls are brought together by Delyla and learn a secret that is too unbelievable to be true. As Mary Anne and Diana begin to bond, World War II begins. Nazis have invaded France and worried Rochelle, who decides to keep the girls indoors at all times. Everything was normal, until a knock on the door changed their life forever. For on the other side was a Jewish girl named Amelia (Amy) Rosenburge, whose family was captured by the Nazis. Rochelle, Diana, Mary Anne, and Delyla allow Amy to stay with them, which was a huge commitment. Amy is an olive skinned, green eyed, light brown haired, curious ten year old, who is a little bit of a troublemaker. She is a little immature and not one bit naive. Delyla and the others try their best to hide Amy and dodge the Nazis, until they are discovered, and one doesn't"