Katya is an 11 year old girl living in a small village near the Chernobyl nuclear plant in the Ukraine. On her 11th birthday, there is a terrible accident at the plant in reactor 4 and her life is changed forever. Her father employed at the plant continues to believe that the accident has been contained and it is safe to continue there so he can provide for his family. The families of her village have to leave and live in Kiev for two years. During this time the villages are totally destroyed, animals killed and the ruins buried. Another village is constructed in an area outside of the "Dead Zone" and Katya and her family move to it. THis is a coming of age story with the backdrop of worst nuclear tragedy in history. A YA novel it is a quick read but the subject is disturbing as well as informative.