Tomi was born in Hawaii. His grandfather and parents were born in Japan, and came to America to escape poverty. World War II seems far away from Tomi and his friends, who are too busy playing ball on their eighth-grade team, the Rats. But then Pearl Harbor is attacked by the Japanese, and the United States declares war on Japan. Japanese men are rounded up, and Tomis father and grandfather are arrested. Its a terrifying time to be Japanese in America. But one thing doesnt change: the loyalty of Tomis buddies, the Rats.