Alex, or Alexander Perchov, introduces himself and his family: his father, mother, brother Little Igor, and his grandfather, all of whom live in Odessa. Since the death of Alex’s grandmother, Grandfather tells everyone he is blind. Although it is obviously untrue, Alex’s father buys him a seeing-eye dog. Grandfather names the dog Sammy Davis Jr. Jr., after his favorite member of the Rat Pack. Alex’s father owns a tour guide company that caters to Jewish people who come to Ukraine to connect with their heritage and history. His latest client, Jonathan Safran Foer, is coming from America and will arrive in Lutsk during the first week of July. Alex and Grandfather are coerced into acting as tour guides for Jonathan; Grandfather will drive, and Alex will act as translator. Jonathan is hoping to find the town his grandfather is from, Trachimbrod, as well as a woman named Augustine, who helped his grandfather escape the Nazis during World War II. Alex is excited, not only to travel but because Jonathan is an American. However, Grandfather is extremely reluctant and seems to hold some prejudice against Jonathan because he is a Jew.