When a thin line of smoke begins to rise from the island volcano Krakatan in 1883, scientifically-minded 13-year-old Katrien is naturally curious. She could never imagine the volcano that everyone has said is extinct would erupt, taking away everything she cared about-her family, her best friend, and her home. Her only companion in the midst of the eruption-induced chaos is her nemesis Brigitta. They will have to put aside their differences and work together if they want to survive.