It Was September When We Ran Away the First Time

In September 1951, Paolo, a student at John Muir Junior High School in Orange Grove, California, is grappling with various thoughts. He contemplates running away part-time with his brother Georgie and cousin Billy, managing a booth at the upcoming cultural carnival, and the prevalent fears of Communism and the atom bomb. Above all, Paolo is troubled by the community's prejudiced attitudes towards his friends Billy and Veronica, a Chinese girl, who face discrimination based on their associations. This issue gives Paolo and his friends a significant reason to consider running away, not just part-time.