'I do not want to hear another word about your crazy American Dream ' Words such as these from Rosa Alexander's father during his frequent drunken rants often drove young Rosa to seek solace beneath her weeping willow tree. One day, however, her aunt Klara visits from America, giving Rosa hope for a brighter future. Rosa held on to her dream for years, waiting for the chance to leave her beloved homeland and find a home across the ocean. The time never comes, however, and eventually Rosa marries and starts a family, believing that perhaps America is not part of her plan anymore. As life becomes increasingly harder, in 1985, Rosa and Alan finally make plans to escape the cruel eye of the Romanian government and find freedom in America. They are forced, however, to leave their children-Julia, 8; and Peter, 4-behind. When Peter and Julia are not able to join them as hoped, Rosa struggles through enormous sorrow as she begins an almost four-year battle to reunite her family. Where the Willow Grows in Transylvania, based on the emotional true story of Rosa Alexander's American Dream, relates how Rosa's dream eventually becomes a grown-up search for peace and a yearning for her family to be together. As Rosa begins to trust God, she not only hears His voice but also finds her own. Her story reminds readers that with faith, dreams can come true.