We Are Not Free, by Traci Chee

     From the author of the wonderful Reader trilogy (Sea of Ink and Gold) comes this very powerful historical fiction story about the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War 2. Chee's book tells the story from the perspective of 14 different teenagers, all living in San Francisco until they and their families are torn from their homes, businesses, and lives and sent to live in makeshift prisons in different parts of the country. Once Japan bombs Pearl Harbor, all Japanese Americans are seen as potential enemies, potential spies, and they become targets of American hate and prejudice, much like Middle Eastern-looking Americans did when 9-11 happened. The history of the United States is at once great and terrible, and Chee peels back the cover of one of the more terrible elements of our history.

    Years ago I read a book about two boys whose friendship was tested when Japanese Americans became "suspects" during WW2, but for the life of me I cannot remember the title (but I can still picture the cover!). However, there are some amazing authors writing about the Asian American experience, and if you want more like We Are Not Free, check out any books by Grace Lin, Cynthia Kadohata, or Under the Blood Red Sun by Graham Salisbury. I love books that create windows into lives I will never live, but by reading them we hopefully become more compassionate people. And who doesn't want a world with more caring and compassion in it?

    We Are Not Free is a strong and powerful book, and because of the way Chee structures each chapter to be the voice of a different teen, it reads almost like a book of short stories. It took me a chapter or two to settle into the rhythm of the story, but once I did, I could not read this fast enough! This will warm your heart - and break your heart - all at once. Written more for older middle grade readers than younger, everyone will get something important from this story. 5 paws!