In May 1939， nearly one thousand German-Jewish passengers boarded the Hamburg-Amerika luxury liner bound for Cuba。 Many of the men had been rounded up during the orchestrated raids on Jewish homes， businesses， and synagogues throughout Germany。 They were released from concentration camps on the condition they would leave the country immediately。

Twelve-year-old Ruthie Arons is a refugee， traveling with her parents。 She befriends another twelve-year-old， Wolfie Freund， whose father is waiting for him and his family in Havana。 When the two discover a Nazi on board， they aren't sure what to do。 Based on true events。