The story begins with a young Russian peasant named Maria. Through a series of tragic events, she must travel North on the Volga river to find safety with relatives in a distant city. Along the way she discovers romance, adventure, friendship and the beginnings of her womanhood. The world beyond Maria's simple farm life in Rostov is fraught with peril. She must evade ruthless soldiers, seeking her capture while daring to trust complete strangers for help. Travel with Maria as she uses every skill acquired in her childhood and every lesson learned from her Mother, the town school teacher. Be...