Traces the history of Dutch-Americans discussing why each wave of immigrants left Holland, where they settled, and their way of life in and contributions to their new country from colonial times to the present.

"Thirteen-year-old Elsje Van Der Zuiden was content with life on her family's farm near Pella, Iowa-a place of refuge for her parents and other Dutch immigrants. Forced to leave their native land, these natives of the Netherlands faced many hardships building homes on the prairie. Suddenly, Elsje is confronted with the possibility of moving away from the home she's always known. She is excited about seeing a treeless wilderness of northwest Iowa....