Barbed Wire Between Us

by Mia Wenjen, Violeta Encarnación (Illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books

48 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 31, 2026

Reviews

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps the most important picture book of the upcoming year as we, as a nation, struggle with our government's cruel and murderous actions of capturing and caging our most vulnerable populations. These two girls' stories, 80 years apart, show that we have not become any more a civilized nation, than in past similar historic episodes.

With minimal carefully chosen narration in the form of a reverso poem, the incarceration center for children at the army base in Fort Sill, Lawton, Oklahoma, is the setting for this narrative of a young Japanese American girl sent to exile in WWII and, in reverse, the experiences of a Latinx girl's similar story today. Guilty only of being a person of color, they are incarcerated, endure freezing nights and hot sun-drenched days and other cruelties, both girls find ways to "create beauty with what [they] had", including the ironic and poignant symbol of hope: a paper crane.

Beautiful color-drenched graphic illustrations in appropriately black, grey, brown and light maize, by Cuban-American artist Violeta Encarnación portray poignant scenes within the walls and behind the barbed wire of the incarceration center. While stark statement, "Our family was separated" is more deeply felt through powerful illustrations, as a child held by one prison guard reaches out toward her father, held by another guard. The book ends where it began, “From behind barbed wire, new life will begin.” leaving readers with some sense of hope, even if today's headlines do not.

Author's notes reveal more details.

[Steff Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barbed Wire Between Us is one of those books that exists as sort of a wakeup call.

History, you see, repeats.

I'd like to think that we, as a people, will always have a future in which progress is measured by the protection of the oppressed. Only when oppression fades will society exist as it should. In the meantime, it's incredibly important that books like this exist to remind us not only of our world's past, but also of the duty we have in ensuring that we fight for a better world today. The fact that Fort Sill, OK is a place that has been used to lock up Native Americans and Japanese immigrants from the past as well as present day immigrants is a dark shadow on the behavior of people we share this world with. And it is a glaring sign of the importance of taking strides toward a world in which such atrocities no longer take place.

Honestly, this is a sad read—but I think its also one that's so important. It's especially powerful in the beautiful artwork and the manner through which the poem brings you through the dual stories. While I will say that the poem, itself, isn't the most musical, it still shines a light on the unfortunate truth of repeating histories. And unless we educate as many as we can about these atrocities and the need to cease their occurrences, we are doomed to repeat it.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Little Batties · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia Wenjen's children's poem is a thought-provoking slap to the face to show readers how history repeats itself. We have two moments in history, decades apart, that has children and families being separated from each other. All they have is the hope of one day having it better, if they can just make it through their detainment. It is heartbreaking to read and watch this story unfold, but I am glad the author is telling this story.

The fact that this is being told through the eyes of children makes this all the more powerful. It requires a moment of pause, of reflection, and time to let this information truly set in. These parallels are horrifying, and it makes it all the more important that it's being told. It will ease young readers into this part of U.S. history and allow for an honest conversation that might otherwise be hard to start.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher Spotlight for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more things change, the more they stay the same--that seems to be one message of Barbed Wire Between Us. And that message is grim and dark. How then is this a hopeful story? I think it's because the first part of the story ended with greater hope, greater freedom, and better things, with a hope that this country could move beyond racism and fear. And even though the second part of the story returns to more discrimination and fear, the parallel structure leads me to hope. Just like there was an end to the American prison camps of Japanese immigrants, I hope for an end to the current harsh treatment of immigrants. I hope because there's kindness.

What a gorgeous book. The illustrations are beautiful in their bleakness.

I admit to worrying that it won't sell, and that library copies won't circulate well. This is a serious book, and that sometimes doesn't lead to wide appeal. I still think it's a worthwhile book, carefully crafted and valuable for the insight it contains.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbed Wire Between Us
by Mia Wenjen Illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
Looking at the haunting history that repeats itself in a particular place. In this instance Fort Sill Oklahoma. First the reservation area for Native American tribes. Prison, and unjust restriction of their freedom. Second World War 2 the interment camps of the Japanese Americans. Now it is the placement of camps for illegal immigrants. Each time their freedom is restricted, humanity taken, and their provisions diminished and causing hunger, and health problems.
The book is shown in a reverso poem, both retaining the meaning of the humanity of the situation. The struggles of the people and the loss of freedom.

[Angel (huge fan of all things Totoro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

History is repeating itself once again. It breaks my heart that we have not learned our lesson. Hate fills the hearts of those in power, and they are using it to spread their horrible beliefs that just because people are a certain color, they deserve to be treated less than human. Families are being torn apart; innocent people are being taken without cause just for the color of their skin. This book touches on what has happened before to people who have ancestry that is not white. It is a great introduction to history for children. The flow of the poetry was easy to understand, but also evoked emotions.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed how this story told many different perspectives of Fort Sill and imprisonment. The illustrations were well done. However, I did not enjoy how it repeated the verses. I understand that the repetition of verses was to portray the repetition of history, but I did not enjoy it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

For more reviews and discussions, listen to my podcast The Honest Book Reviewers with Nate and Emma.

https://open.spotify.com/show/3H3ugH4...

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made my stomach drop. Barbed Wire Between Us tells a circular story of two young girls: one (of the past) is unjustly detained in a Japanese internment camp and eventually freed, and the other (of the present) is caught while immigrating, her family member unjustly detained at the same army base. Haunting, beautiful illustrations combined with the reverso poem make this a thought-provoking and crucial read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Publisher Spotlight | Red Comet Press through NetGalley.
Powerfully written and illustrated story that shows the circular nature of oppression and retention. The book starts with the Japanese internment camps during WWII and moves forward to 2014 when the camp was again used to hold refugees. The circular nature of the book offers hope at the end. Beautiful artwork captures the desolation and the ways some stepped up to care.

[Raven Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read via an online reader. Powerful read about how history is repeating itself with a modern, current event situation. The format of the text is clever and allows the story to take on the same meaning with a differnt pattern. The illustrations soften the harshness of the theme, but do not take away from the importance. They are rich and tie the story together, supporting the text.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and two heartbreaking stories set in the same Oklahoma internment camp highlight the inhumane treatment of Japanese American citizens held during WWII despite committing no crime, and immigrant children incarcerated here in 21st Century America. Will break your heart as it reveals the cruel policies of a government that cares little for the most vulnerable among us.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this form of poetry was such a brilliant way to show how history repeats itself. The illustrations were so beautiful and really drew me into the stories of these horrible events.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant use of illustrations and reverso poetry combined in this picture book to demonstrate how history does repeat itself in American history.

[Tiffany Seward · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐ Children’s Book | Poetry | Dual Perspective

Thank you to Publishing Spotlight for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I was immediately drawn to Barbed Wire Between Us because of its striking cover art and the unique promise of a reverse poem, a story that can be read front to back and back to front. The interior artwork is just as beautiful and expressive as the cover, with illustrations that enhance the emotional tone without overwhelming the text.

The typography is well-balanced and thoughtfully placed, allowing the artwork to shine while still keeping the poem easy to follow. The book presents the same story twice, once from each girl’s perspective, with subtle differences in the illustrations that reflect their individual experiences.

Overall, Barbed Wire Between Us is an interesting and visually appealing children’s book, it leaves you with unanswered questions.