The flame tree - Richard Lewis

Isaac is the son of American missionary doctors in Java, Indonesia. He loves his surroundings and feels secure that his friendship with Ismail, who is Muslim, is as solid as the majestic flame tree just outside the mission school's gate. However, when an Islamic fundamentalist group threatens the hospital where Isaac's parents work, the tightly knit community unravels and Isaac finds Ismail turns his back on him. Amid terrorist attacks, Isaac is taken hostage. While in captivity, he must confront the conflicts between his own Christian upbringing and his friend Ismail's beliefs... and find a way they can come back together, rather than split apart for ever.