Looking Like the Enemy

Looking Like the Enemy is Mary Matsuda Gruenewald's memoir of her teenage years spent in Japanese American internment camps during World War II. The book chronicles her family's forced removal from their strawberry farm on Vashon Island, Washington in 1942 following Executive Order 9066. The narrative follows sixteen-year-old Mary through multiple relocation centers as she attempts to maintain her identity as an American while being labeled an enemy. Through her personal account, readers experience the daily realities of life behind barbed wire, including the cramped living quarters, loss of privacy, and the struggle to keep family bonds intact. The book details how Mary and other young Japanese Americans sought to prove their loyalty, with many men joining the U.S. military while their families remained in camps. The author's clear, direct writing captures both the historic significance and personal impact of this period in American history. This memoir examines themes of citizenship, racial identity, and what it means to maintain dignity in the face of injustice. The narrative connects past events to contemporary discussions about civil rights and national security.

Readers appreciate Gruenewald's personal, detailed account of her teenage years in Japanese internment camps. Many note her straightforward writing style and ability to capture both historical facts and emotional truth without bitterness. Reviews highlight her balanced perspective and inclusion of specific day-to-day experiences. Readers liked: - Clear, accessible writing for young adult audiences - Family photographs and historical context - Documentation of both positive and negative interactions with guards - Focus on maintaining dignity despite circumstances Common criticisms: - Some repetition in certain chapters - Limited coverage of post-war experiences - Occasional slow pacing Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (224 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (47 ratings) One reader noted: "She tells her story with grace and honesty, helping readers understand this dark chapter in American history through a teenager's eyes." Several teachers mentioned using the book successfully with middle and high school students studying WWII and civil rights.

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🔷 Mary Matsuda Gruenewald was 16 years old when she and her family were forced to leave their strawberry farm on Vashon Island, Washington, and sent to internment camps during World War II. 🔷 The author waited nearly 60 years before writing this memoir, finally publishing it in 2005 when she was 80 years old. 🔷 While interned, Matsuda became a nurse's aide at the camp hospital, which later inspired her to pursue a career in nursing after the war. 🔷 The book's title reflects how Japanese Americans were suddenly viewed with suspicion after Pearl Harbor, despite many being second or third generation Americans who had never even been to Japan. 🔷 The Matsuda family's strawberry fields were tended by Filipino-American friends during their internment, allowing them to return to their farm after the war – unlike many other Japanese-American families who lost everything.