In 1935, ten-year-old Alex Maki of Bainbridge Island, Washington, is horrified to discover that his new pen pal, Charlie Lévy of Paris, France, is a girl, but in spite of his initial reluctance, their letters continue over the years and they fight for their friendship even as Charlie endures the Nazi occupation and Alex leaves his family in an internment camp and joins the Army.

As one of only two Asian students at Slackenkill High School, freshman Xing Xu exists on the fringes of adolescent society, counting the days until he's free. When a series of abductions rattles his adopted hometown, Xing as an outsider is able to see and hear things others cannot. As he moves closer to unveiling the kidnapper, he must choose between staying in the shadows and revealing a secret from his past which may prove his worth to his classmates....