Nancy Marie Balko shares the nonfictional lives of the Sudomirs family. Taking place in the early 1900s, this Ukrainian family shows the values of hard work and the importance of sticking together as a family. Although life in Ukraine is what this family is familiar with, the children in the Sudomirs family recognize the opportunities available in America. About the Author Nancy Marie Balko is a child of Ukrainian immigrants. She graduated from University of Akron with a B.S. in art and Long Beach State University with an elementary degree. She taught second and third grades and art classes for 32 years at Springfield Township Schools, near Akron, Ohio.