Describes an immigrant community in San Francisco at the time of the 1906 earthquake. A fictional first-person account of a Japanese boy and his family living in Japantown, illustrated with historical photographs. Explains how cultures exchange knowledge. Describes common characteristics of communities, past and present, and the roles of goverment. Identifies the short- and long-term impact of the 1906 earthquake on San Francisco. Explains how fairness and justice were compromised in Japantown.