In a small South Dakota town at the end of WWII, a fearless stray dog and a principled German Prisoner of War embolden Donald "Donnyboy" Cook, an insecure 13-year-old, to stand up against the bullies who terrorize him and the intolerance choking his community. Along the way, Donnyboy overcomes his loneliness and isolation by making friends with several colorful classmates and falling in love with Alice Cody, the smartest, prettiest, and most competitive girl in his grade.