It tells the story of a Los Angeles riot and its aftermath through the eyes of a young boy named Daniel.

The ongoing fires and looting force neighbors who previously disliked each other to work together to find their cats.

[2] David Diaz's acrylic, collage-like illustration of the tale earned the book the 1995 Caldecott Medal.

[3] Riots and commotion are happening around Los Angeles, where Daniel and his mother live.

Once they get to the shelter where they were staying at, a fireman brings their cats, who have bonded over their experience.