"Nine-year-old Nanea Mitchell may be the youngest in her family, but she still wants to "dip her paddle in" and be useful. She knows she's grown-up enough to help in her grandparents' market. But before she can prove that she's ready for more responsibility, the unthinkable happens: Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, the naval base where her father works, and America is at war! With friends and family missing, and rumors of more attacks to come, Nanea worries...

"Nanea Mitchell had hoped that going back to school would make life seem normal again. But everything has changed since the war started, including Miss Smith's wonderful classroom. Nanea' dear friend Donna is gone, and now there's a new girl who seems to be getting all of Miss Smith's attention. There are also worries at home as Nanea' big brother talks about joining the Army. Nanea can't bear the thought of him leaving. In the swirl of changes, Nanea...