Selma, a girl from Bosnia, recounts her extraordinary story. At 4 years old, she got separated from her parents at a train station. She was eventually taken to an orphanage and later adopted by a kind-hearted doctor named Sarah. Selma has a condition called face blindness, which makes it impossible for her to recognize people's faces. As she grows up, she faces various challenges, including a complicated relationship with a girl named Laura, who initially bullies her but later becomes her ally. Selma discovers that her real family, who she thought had abandoned her, is actually a wealthy and influential family in Bosnia. However, she soon finds out that her uncle and aunt, who are her legal guardians, are trying to manipulate and control her for their own financial gain. With Laura's help, Selma exposes their plan and has them arrested. She then becomes the rightful owner of her family's wealth and invites Sarah to move in with her. In the end, Selma and Laura become best friends, and she finally finds happiness and belonging.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator, Selma, is from Bosnia.
2. When Selma was four, she went to a Christmas celebration with her parents in a town far from home.
3. At the train station, Selma lost her parents and was left alone.
4. A kind-looking police officer found Selma and took her to an orphanage.
5. Selma was adopted by a woman named Sarah, who helped her cope with a condition called face blindness.
6. Selma started attending school at the age of 14 and had difficulty making friends due to her condition.
7. Selma met a girl named Laura, who initially befriended her but later turned out to be manipulative and mean.
8. Selma was expelled from school after being falsely accused of cheating.
9. Selma discovered that her necklace, given to her by her parents, had a rose symbol that was the crest of one of Bosnia's richest families.
10. Sarah revealed that she knew Selma's real family and took her to meet them, who turned out to be her uncle and aunt.
11. Selma's uncle and aunt told her that her parents had died in a car crash soon after she was born.
12. Selma was initially happy to be reunited with her family but later felt lonely and isolated.
13. Selma's uncle and aunt were planning to get rid of her again for financial reasons.
14. Laura, who had previously been mean to Selma, helped her discover her uncle and aunt's plan and exposed their evil intentions.
15. Selma's uncle and aunt were arrested and imprisoned for their crimes.
16. Selma became the rightful owner of her family's wealth and property.
17. Selma convinced Sarah to move into her house, and she and Laura became best friends.