Zoe Willoughby’s first glimpse of Ki Kamamoto in September of 1941 isn’t favorable. He’s stomping through mud puddles, acting stupid, just like other boys in her sixth grade class in Kentucky. But Ki isn’t like the others. He’s good at art, funny, and easy to talk with. Even so, at school and at home, Zoe doesn’t always feel close to friends and family–until that December when the awful news of the Japanese attack arrives from Pearl Harbor.Because the Kamamotos have the face of the enemy, Ki’s classmates and the community begin to harass his family. The abuse begins on a small scale but soon escalates into a life or death situation.A decision has to be made. How Zoe’s family can best protect their Japanese friends. There are two possibilities: Help them get to one of the Japanese Relocation Camps or hide them in their home.During those opening months of WWII, Zoe discovers that friendship can be a lot like fire. The closer you get, the warmer you feel–and the greater the chance for getting burned.