They Called Us Enemy

George Takei's graphic memoir recounts his childhood experience in Japanese American internment camps during World War II. Through stark black-and-white illustrations and personal narrative, the story follows young George and his family as they are forced from their Los Angeles home into government-controlled facilities. The book moves between Takei's early memories of imprisonment and his later reflections as an adult actor and activist. The narrative examines daily routines within the camps, family relationships, and the broader historical context of Japanese American incarceration during the 1940s. The collaborative work pairs Takei's memories with manga-inspired artwork by Harmony Becker, creating an accessible format for readers of all ages. This memoir adds to the historical record through its unique perspective of experiencing internment through a child's eyes. The graphic novel format brings immediacy to this crucial piece of American history, exploring themes of identity, citizenship, and what it means to be labeled an "enemy" in one's own country.

Readers connect deeply with Takei's personal account of life in the Japanese American internment camps. Amazon and Goodreads reviews highlight how the graphic novel format makes this historical period accessible to younger readers while still resonating with adults. Readers appreciated: - Clear, straightforward storytelling from a child's perspective - Educational value for students and families - Illustrations that capture both historical details and emotional moments - Balance of dark subject matter with moments of hope Common criticisms: - Some found the art style too simplified - A few noted the narrative jumps between time periods were confusing - Several wanted more detail about specific events Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (45,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (4,800+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.8/5 (500+ ratings) "This should be required reading in schools," appears frequently in reviews. Multiple teachers report successful use in middle school classrooms, noting strong student engagement with the material.

Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, James D. Houston The memoir chronicles a Japanese American girl's experiences in California's Manzanar internment camp during World War II.

Desert Exile: The Uprooting of a Japanese American Family by Yoshiko Uchida This first-person account documents a family's forced relocation from Berkeley to the Topaz internment camp in Utah during World War II.

When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka The narrative follows a Japanese American family's internment experience from their Berkeley home to a camp in Utah through multiple perspectives.

The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka This collective narrative traces the lives of Japanese picture brides from their arrival in America through their internment during World War II.

No-No Boy by John Okada The story explores the aftermath of Japanese American internment through a young man who refuses to serve in the U.S. military while his family is imprisoned.

🔹 George Takei was only 5 years old when his family was forced into internment camps, beginning with the Rohwer War Relocation Center in Arkansas and later moving to Tule Lake in California. 🔹 The book's artist, Harmony Becker, spent months researching 1940s clothing, architecture, and camp layouts to ensure historical accuracy in her illustrations. 🔹 Over 120,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated during WWII, with approximately 62% being American citizens by birth. 🔹 Before writing this graphic memoir, Takei first told this story through "Allegiance," a Broadway musical in which he starred, inspired by his family's internment experience. 🔹 The book's title "They Called Us Enemy" references the government's Classification WE, for "enemy alien," which was applied to Japanese Americans regardless of their citizenship status.