The Harrington family has settled into a new home in Seattle’s Queen Anne Hill district, but things aren’t going well.

Adrian doesn’t fit in at her new school. Because she easily gets such good grades, the other students torment her and call her “Adrian Einstein.” When she makes mistakes on purpose to quiet their teasing, her grades drop. Her parents are disappointed with her and Adrian is miserable. How can she ever enjoy school again?

Meanwhile, Alice’s fiancé joins the military and leaves for basic training as Japan’s armies become more aggressive in Asia. Things in the nation look grim.

Frank is challenged as to how to stand up for his Japanese-American friends when the other boys at school blame them for things they are innocent of doing. Will Frank speak up for the Wakamutsus? Or will he keep quiet in order to be accepted by the guys in Queen Anne Hill?