Milkweed is the story of an old man recounting his days as a young boy in Poland during World War II. During this time, he meets interesting people that take important roles in his life.

He doesn't know his past, he doesn't know who he is, what he is or where he is. He meets up with an older boy, Uri, who knows the streets of Warsaw. Uri makes up a name for the young boy and calls him Misha Pilsudski. Uri takes him to a group of boys who also steal food. After meeting these people, he learns of Jackboots, or Nazis. At first, Misha wants to become one, because of their shiny boots, but later he realizes what the Jackboots do. He and Uri move from place to place, until Misha meets Janina.

Janina and her family once lived in a large home and were...