To save her Serbian-Bosnian son from the ethnic cleansing tearing through the Balkan region, Emira Dizdar immigrates to the United States. The peaceful and safe life promised on Hawaii soon turns into an excruciating reality for her and Emir.

Beyond the unfathomable alienation Emir experiences on many fronts, he fails to navigate the language, culture and the dynamics of a toxic household. Yet along the way, he manages to cross paths and build relationships that help him understand the confusing environment, provide a temporary shelter and the main drive behind the actions he takes.

DISCLAIMER: The potential reader is advised there are references to triggering topics in this book. Domestic violence, sexual abuse, child abuse, and immigration trauma are excruciating and real parts of the lives of multiple households. They are rancid stigmas within societies that pretend to civilized, humane and egalitarian values. 

While this book is not meant to provide education or an objective approach to these issues and how to tackle them, the Werths hope acknowledging the events and their vicious impact will bridge a way to empathize with survivors and hopefully catalyze an interest in getting properly educated, active and involved.