*YA Book Reviews - They Called Us Enemy - George Takei

 

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They Called Us Enemy — George Takei

• Author: George Takei
• Genre: Graphic memoir / historical nonfiction
• Published: 2019
• Pages: 208

Awards and Recognition

• American Book Award
• Eisner Award for Best Reality-Based Work
• ALA Notable Book
• School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Why I Chose This Book

I picked up They Called Us Enemy because I wanted at least one book in my reading list that told history through a personal lens rather than just explaining events from a distance. I was also interested in reading a graphic memoir because I know that format can be really powerful for adolescent readers. As a librarian, I am always looking for books that help students connect with hard topics in an approachable way, and this one felt like an important choice for that reason. I also knew the general history of Japanese American incarceration, but I wanted to read a firsthand account that would make that history feel more real.

Brief Summary

In this memoir, George Takei tells the story of being removed from his home with his family and sent to internment camps during World War II. He shares these memories through a graphic format that combines childhood experience with historical context. The book shows what it meant for an American family to lose their freedom because of fear, racism, and wartime hysteria. Even though it tells a specific story, it also raises much bigger questions about citizenship, justice, and whose rights are protected in times of crisis.

Teaching and Content Considerations

I can see this book working well in a few different settings. It could absolutely be used as a whole-class read in middle or high school, especially in ELA or social studies. It would be strong for a small group because students would need time to talk through both the book's history and its emotional side. At the same time, it is also a really good individual reading option for students who like graphic novels or who might not immediately choose a more traditional historical text.

I would recommend it most for grades 7–10. Middle school students could definitely access it, but there is enough depth there for older students, too. I think it would especially appeal to readers who are interested in history, civil rights, identity, or graphic storytelling.

What stands out to me most instructionally is that this book gives students a way into history that feels personal. Instead of learning about internment as just one more topic in a textbook, readers see what that injustice looked like for an actual child and family. That matters. It also creates good opportunities to talk about theme, point of view, bias, government power, and visual literacy. The illustrations do not just support the story. They are part of how the story works.

As for maturity, the book deals with racism, injustice, forced removal, and the long-term effects of trauma. Even so, it feels appropriate for middle- and high-school readers because it is serious without being graphic or sensational. It handles painful material honestly.

Overall Thoughts and Reflections

This book stayed with me longer than I expected. I already knew the basic history behind Japanese American internment, but reading They Called Us Enemy made that history feel much more personal. What hit me most was that so much of the story is told from Takei’s childhood perspective. There is something especially painful about seeing injustice through the eyes of a child who does not fully understand why it is happening.

I also kept thinking about how effective this book would be for students. The graphic memoir format makes it accessible, but it does not make the history feel smaller or easier. If anything, the visuals make parts of it more emotional. A facial expression or a quiet panel can do a lot of work. I think that is one reason this book would connect with adolescent readers. It gives them something to analyze, but also something to feel.

As a librarian, I really value books like this because they help readers build empathy while also asking them to think critically. This is not just a book about one event in American history. It is a book about what happens when fear and prejudice are treated as more important than people’s rights. That message still matters.

Book Talk Read-Aloud Excerpts

Pages 19–24: the forced removal scene
I would use this section for a book talk because it immediately shows the fear and confusion of being taken from home. It would grab students’ attention right away and make the history feel immediate rather than distant. This is the kind of scene that would leave students wanting to know what happens next.

Pages 73–75: daily life in camp
I like this section because it shows that injustice is not only in the major dramatic moments. It is also in the daily routine, the loss of freedom, and the way people are expected to adapt to something that should never have happened in the first place. I think this would be a strong read-aloud because it helps students picture what camp life was actually like.

Pages 194–198: Takei’s reflections on citizenship and justice
This would be a great excerpt for older students because it connects the memoir to bigger ideas about democracy, belonging, and civil liberties. It would work well in a book talk because it shows that this is not only a story about the past. It also pushes readers to think about the present.

What I Want to Explore Further

After finishing this book, I found myself wanting to read more firsthand accounts from Japanese Americans who were incarcerated during World War II. I think personal stories make history harder to ignore, and this book reminded me of that. I also want to learn more about how this history is taught in schools, because I do not think many students get enough exposure to it in a way that feels personal and meaningful. I would also like to explore more graphic memoirs for young adults, especially those that address difficult historical or social issues. This book made me see how effective that format can be.

Final Thoughts

They Called Us Enemy is the kind of book that feels important for both readers and educators. It tells a painful story, honestly, but it also makes that history accessible to young people in a meaningful way. I would recommend it for classrooms, libraries, and anyone who wants to read a book that combines history with a personal voice. More than anything, this memoir reminds readers that history is not just made up of events. It is made up of people, families, and lives that were changed.