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.

"It is 1935. Ten-year-old Alex Maki, from Bainbridge Island, just off the coast of Washington State, is disgusted when he's forced to become pen pals with Charlie Levy of Paris, France -- a girl. But in spite of Alex's reluctance, their letters continue to fly across the Atlantic, along with the shared hopes and dreams of friendship. Six years later, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the growing Nazi persecution of Jews force both Alex and Charlie to confront the darkest aspects of human nature. From the desolation of an internment camp on the plains of Manzanar to the horrors of Auschwitz and the devastation of European battlefields, the only things they can hold on to are the memories of their letters. And nothing can dispel the light between them."--