In a new world the day before she turns five, Anneke finds herself walking down a pathway leading to her new school in the United States of America.

That's when she sees a lock and a large brass door handle.

Anneke opens the door, and her life unfolds in this tale highlighting the immigrant experience. Her story takes you through her family's struggles and toils, and shines a spotlight on the schools, barns, houses, magnificent architecture, and the astonishing sights of nature in Northern and Upper Michigan.

She recalls her adventures singing in the auditorium of North Bessemer School, where four teachers lived on the second floor of the school, and how students memorized verses from the Bible. She also recalls the class bully and the unforgettable blizzard of 1938.

Forward and backward, this story is filled with pictures and reveals a community that finds beauty in nature and strength in each other.