Memory Wall

After both her parents die from cancer, 15-year-old Allison moves from Kansas to Lithuania to live with her only remaining relative, Grandpa Z. Her dog, Mishap, and three duffel bags of belongings are all she takes with her. Grandpa Z gives the only bedroom to Allison while he sleeps in the kitchen.

Allison’s grief can be overwhelming, but she finds some comfort in prayer. The old woman next door, Mrs. Sabo, invites Allison over, and they watch a sermon on TV. Allison knows enough Lithuanian to catch the main idea of the sermon, which is about believing in things unseen. Later, Grandpa Z tells Allison that Mrs. Sabo can’t remember things anymore, implying that she has dementia. Allison begins watching TV with Mrs. Sabo regularly.

Mrs. Sabo shows Allison photos of her mom as a child. In many of the pictures, Allison’s mom is fishing in a river or showing off the enormous sturgeon that she’s caught. Grandpa brings Allison to the same river, River Nemunas. After learning her childhood home is being sold, Allison goes back to the river and sees an unbelievably large fish jumping out of the water. When she tells Grandpa Z, however, he says there aren’t any sturgeon left in the river.