Anywhere But Paradise

Set in 1960s Hawaii, a young girl faces cultural challenges after moving from Texas. Isolated and bullied by local eighth-grader Kiki, Peggy Sue feels out of place, especially with her cat in quarantine. Her situation worsens when she must assist Kiki in a sewing project to avoid failing home economics. A friendship with Malina offers a glimmer of hope, but everything changes when a tsunami strikes, leaving Peggy Sue unconscious and her parents missing. She must find the strength to cope with uncertainty and fear as she navigates this tumultuous time.