It has long been the custom for every 12-year-old girl from Philomena's village to go to the city to do "service" as housemaids before coming home to be married. But Philomena's aunt had gone and never returned. On her deathbed, Babushka instructs her little granddaughter to go to Prague and find her aunt, who must surely be rich now, and do "service" in her household. With the confidence that Babushka is still watching over her from heaven, Philomena travels to Prague, the "city of a hundred spires." Once there, she bounces from one adventure into another as doors open and close and unconventional guidance (from Babushka?) moves her in ever new directions. Though Philomena may grow slightly impatient with Babushka's methods, she is steadily gaining experience, friends (and pets ) until unexpectedly she is able to accomplish her goal. Kate Seredy, renowned author and artist, brings to life both the characters and their setting of pre-World War I Czechoslovakia.