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We Are Not Strangers: A Graphic Novel
Inspired by a true story, this graphic novel follows a Jewish immigrant’s efforts to help his Japanese neighbors while they are incarcerated during World War II.
Marco Calvo always knew his grandfather, affectionately called Papoo, was a good man. After all, he was named for him. A first-generation Jewish immigrant, Papoo was hardworking, smart, and caring. When Papoo peacefully passes away, Marco expects the funeral to be simple. However, he is caught off guard by something unusual. Among his close family and friends are mourners he doesn’t recognize—Japanese American families—and no one is quite sure who they are or why they are at the service. How did these strangers know his grandfather so well?
Set in the multicultural Central District of Seattle during World War II and inspired by author and artist Josh Tuininga’s family experiences, We Are Not Strangers explores a unique situation of Japanese and Jewish Americans living side by side in a country at war. Following Marco’s grandfather’s perspective, we learn of his life as a Sephardic Jewish immigrant living in America and his struggles as he settles into an America gearing up its war efforts. Despite the war raging just outside US borders, Papoo befriends Sam Akiyama, a Japanese man who finds his world upended from President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066. Determined to keep Sam’s business afloat while he and his family are unjustly incarcerated, Papoo creates a plan that not only changes the lives of the Akiyamas but of the entire Nihonmachi community.
Marco Calvo always knew his grandfather, affectionately called Papoo, was a good man. After all, he was named for him. A first-generation Jewish immigrant, Papoo was hardworking, smart, and caring. When Papoo peacefully passes away, Marco expects the funeral to be simple. However, he is caught off guard by something unusual. Among his close family and friends are mourners he doesn’t recognize—Japanese American families—and no one is quite sure who they are or why they are at the service. How did these strangers know his grandfather so well?
Set in the multicultural Central District of Seattle during World War II and inspired by author and artist Josh Tuininga’s family experiences, We Are Not Strangers explores a unique situation of Japanese and Jewish Americans living side by side in a country at war. Following Marco’s grandfather’s perspective, we learn of his life as a Sephardic Jewish immigrant living in America and his struggles as he settles into an America gearing up its war efforts. Despite the war raging just outside US borders, Papoo befriends Sam Akiyama, a Japanese man who finds his world upended from President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066. Determined to keep Sam’s business afloat while he and his family are unjustly incarcerated, Papoo creates a plan that not only changes the lives of the Akiyamas but of the entire Nihonmachi community.
197 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 2023
29 people are currently reading
6558 people want to read
About the author
Josh Tuininga
6 books18 followersJosh Tuininga is an author, artist, and graphic designer based in North Bend, WA. A graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Tuininga's artistic career has explored a variety of mediums including sequential art, animation, painting and design. In 2003, he founded an Art + Design Agency, The Medium where he continues to work as Creative Director.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
January 15, 2024
We Are Not Strangers by Josh Tuninga is based on a true story and it is an exciting and powerful novel that follows the main character's Grandfather during World War II. A friend of their grandfathers was a Japanese immigrant who was incarcerated during this time. The book follows him helping them out during the time they are gone. The story is powerful and interesting. This book was a giveaway I entered and got sent by ABRAMS Books. I got sent this book back in September and have finally written a review.
The art in this graphic novel is very beautiful and unique. The book was quite a page-turner and seemingly realistic. Personally, I have not researched World War II that much and only know as much as I have learned in books I have read or learned in school. Sadly in Florida, United States we don't learn much significant stuff. In the next couple of months, I am going to try to read more books about World War II. The characters are overall just normal people and do powerful things. This shows that anyone can be an amazing person even if they aren't superhuman or have powers like a superhero. This may seem like something a friend or mother would say to you when you are in trouble. The book shows the sadness of what had happened and how discrimination was very popular in the mid-1900s in the United States.
This book was the Author's first Graphic novel and he was very successful when he created it. The book is not the normal selection he has written before. The author, Josh Tuininga, has written two other books which are children's books. Why Blue? and Dream On are the other two he had written before. The design of the slip-on cover and hardcover book and such amazing designs and the author had designed both. The book I own and won from the Giveaway is Beautiful Cherry Blossoms on the cover and they seem to be in their last bloom on the back and the same type on the front which has a connection to the timeline of the book. The first time of the timeline was December 23rd of the year of 1987 and ends on the same day.
This book is a book everyone should read whether they like graphic novels or not. I suggest you either borrow it from a local library or buy it from an online bookstore. The book is currently out to the public and has been since August of 2023. I also suggest reading another book by Josh Tuininga, either 'Why Blue?' or 'Dream On' they both are quick reads and I expect are interesting. They are both out currently and you can order online or find them in stores.
Personally, I loved this book so much and it is a wonderful addition to my shelf.
The art in this graphic novel is very beautiful and unique. The book was quite a page-turner and seemingly realistic. Personally, I have not researched World War II that much and only know as much as I have learned in books I have read or learned in school. Sadly in Florida, United States we don't learn much significant stuff. In the next couple of months, I am going to try to read more books about World War II. The characters are overall just normal people and do powerful things. This shows that anyone can be an amazing person even if they aren't superhuman or have powers like a superhero. This may seem like something a friend or mother would say to you when you are in trouble. The book shows the sadness of what had happened and how discrimination was very popular in the mid-1900s in the United States.
This book was the Author's first Graphic novel and he was very successful when he created it. The book is not the normal selection he has written before. The author, Josh Tuininga, has written two other books which are children's books. Why Blue? and Dream On are the other two he had written before. The design of the slip-on cover and hardcover book and such amazing designs and the author had designed both. The book I own and won from the Giveaway is Beautiful Cherry Blossoms on the cover and they seem to be in their last bloom on the back and the same type on the front which has a connection to the timeline of the book. The first time of the timeline was December 23rd of the year of 1987 and ends on the same day.
This book is a book everyone should read whether they like graphic novels or not. I suggest you either borrow it from a local library or buy it from an online bookstore. The book is currently out to the public and has been since August of 2023. I also suggest reading another book by Josh Tuininga, either 'Why Blue?' or 'Dream On' they both are quick reads and I expect are interesting. They are both out currently and you can order online or find them in stores.
Personally, I loved this book so much and it is a wonderful addition to my shelf.
June 30, 2023
The problem with time, is that it keeps moving forward, and those who experienced things, in the past, begin to die off, until there are no original voices that can tell you what happened to them. This is true with the time of the Second World War, those who were alive as children are really the only ones left, so if there is a story to tell, they should tell it quickly or else it will come to us second hand, through their children.
That is how “We Are not Strangers” by Josh Tuininga was written. He has based this story on what he knew of what his grandfather did, from stories told in his family, and by others who knew him, such as his uncle. How he helped the Japanese-Americans in the Seattle area, by keeping their homes and businesses for them. I have heard such stories before. My mother used to tell me how her neighbors paid the mortgage on one of the Japanese-American families that got sent away, so that they would have their home to come back to.
This is a good story, mind you, but it is several generations removed from the actual voice of those this happened to. That doesn’t diminish the story in any way, and I commend the author for writing another story about what it was like. It is still just as heartbreaking. It is still just as hard. It is still a horrible thing that these second and third generation people went through, some, as a teacher once pointed out, didn’t even speak Japanese any more.
I do like how his grandfather, having immigrated from Hungary during the beginning of the 1920s, knew what it was like to lose everything, and have to start over again, which makes this story all the more pointed.
Thanks to the publisher for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published, in full color, September 12, 2023.
That is how “We Are not Strangers” by Josh Tuininga was written. He has based this story on what he knew of what his grandfather did, from stories told in his family, and by others who knew him, such as his uncle. How he helped the Japanese-Americans in the Seattle area, by keeping their homes and businesses for them. I have heard such stories before. My mother used to tell me how her neighbors paid the mortgage on one of the Japanese-American families that got sent away, so that they would have their home to come back to.
This is a good story, mind you, but it is several generations removed from the actual voice of those this happened to. That doesn’t diminish the story in any way, and I commend the author for writing another story about what it was like. It is still just as heartbreaking. It is still just as hard. It is still a horrible thing that these second and third generation people went through, some, as a teacher once pointed out, didn’t even speak Japanese any more.
I do like how his grandfather, having immigrated from Hungary during the beginning of the 1920s, knew what it was like to lose everything, and have to start over again, which makes this story all the more pointed.
Thanks to the publisher for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published, in full color, September 12, 2023.
January 28, 2024
This was informative and timely. The story of how some brave people helped Japanese Americans during WWII is vastly undertold.
I wish this had been even longer, detailing a bit more about what it was like before these families immigrated, and after, their early days in America. In particular, most of us know so little about Sephardic Jews. Still, it was meticulously researched, and deeply personal for the author.
I wish this had been even longer, detailing a bit more about what it was like before these families immigrated, and after, their early days in America. In particular, most of us know so little about Sephardic Jews. Still, it was meticulously researched, and deeply personal for the author.
October 11, 2023
This is a wonderfully illustrated and presented graphic novel about everyday heroism and a fascinating life lived. WE ARE NOT STRANGERS is not to be missed.
November 21, 2023
Required ReadingTM for a non-existent empathy 101 class all red hat Americans should be obliged to take
February 9, 2024
literally read this cover to cover in one sitting at the library. the image of marco standing under the cherry blossoms is so powerful
September 18, 2023
I received an advance copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Growing up in the Seattle area, the forced internment camps were something I learned about by the time I was nine years old. But only as an adult did I begin to learn about the community members who stepped up to support their unfairly incarcerated neighbors (and the community members who gleefully took advantage of their absence, I SEE YOU BELLEVUE). This graphic novel is the story of a member of one of those communities, a Sephardic Jewish immigrant who was often marginalized like his Japanese and Japanese-American neighbors. When his neighbors were forced to leave their homes for prison camps, he stepped up, finding ways to support them while they were incarcerated, and trying to give them relief when they were released. Seattle's Jewish population is not as predominant as many other marginalized communities here, but this is an important story to tell about their history as well as that of Seattle itself. I will absolutely be recommending this as part of any Seattle history readers' advisory.
Growing up in the Seattle area, the forced internment camps were something I learned about by the time I was nine years old. But only as an adult did I begin to learn about the community members who stepped up to support their unfairly incarcerated neighbors (and the community members who gleefully took advantage of their absence, I SEE YOU BELLEVUE). This graphic novel is the story of a member of one of those communities, a Sephardic Jewish immigrant who was often marginalized like his Japanese and Japanese-American neighbors. When his neighbors were forced to leave their homes for prison camps, he stepped up, finding ways to support them while they were incarcerated, and trying to give them relief when they were released. Seattle's Jewish population is not as predominant as many other marginalized communities here, but this is an important story to tell about their history as well as that of Seattle itself. I will absolutely be recommending this as part of any Seattle history readers' advisory.
September 28, 2024
This well-researched and executed graphic novel reflects the shared experiences of discrimination faced by both Sephardic Jews and Japanese Americans, who arrived in Seattle around the same time and faced cultural and linguistic barriers. Marco befriends Nisei fisherman Sam Akiyama, and after the Japanese internment begins, he takes care of the Akiyama family’s home and business in their absence, an act of quiet resistance and compassion that his own family only learns about after his death.
In addition to the story, there’s a long appendix with maps, illustrations, and even headline sources from Seattle’s past. This makes an educational resource as well as a warm, family story. Having visited that area of Seattle, I found it especially interesting and wished that I had read this book before that trip.
This one was a labor of love based on a family story and it shows.
In addition to the story, there’s a long appendix with maps, illustrations, and even headline sources from Seattle’s past. This makes an educational resource as well as a warm, family story. Having visited that area of Seattle, I found it especially interesting and wished that I had read this book before that trip.
This one was a labor of love based on a family story and it shows.
September 13, 2025
The art is gorgeous, but I wasn’t super wowed by the writing. It’s such an important story, and it felt too quickly told. I also would’ve liked more of the narrator’s own perspective and experiences folded in.
February 29, 2024
This was a quick but informative read in a genre that I don't usually do. This story deals with the events of WWII as it relates to Sephardic Jews, Japanese internment camps, and the impact one person can have on the lives of the people around them. The illustrations are simple, but they speak so loudly and fill in so much feeling and emotion that sit between the words. This book is a great way for your MS or HS student (even older elementary age) students to tackle a tough subject in a unique way. It is extremely well-reseaeched. Be sure to read the notes at the end of the book.
January 9, 2024
In this time of division, and outright racism (I think of people in Sydney chanting gas the Jews), a book like this is absolutely critical reading. This lovingly rendered book shows a selfless man, a Jew, doing everything he can to save not only his Japanese American friend during the abhorrent internment, but saving Seattle's Japanese American community, which he did quietly and beautifully. The author only learned about this at his funeral
August 23, 2023
I won this historical graphic novel in a Goodreads giveaway. I read it (poured over it!) in one sitting! The story...so simple yet so powerful. The artwork complemented the story respectfully and beautifully. This true story, in a graphic novel style, hit a bigger punch for me than a traditional book would have. Appropriate for all ages.
August 25, 2023
This book is excellent. It discusses a topic of American history that is often left out of our education because it makes the U.S. look bad. That's exactly why it needs to be discussed. Hopefully, with the accessibility of both the art style and writing, the experience of those in Japanese internment camps can reach people who otherwise would never have known.
August 3, 2025
This graphic novel based on a true story, brings to light the internment of Japanese-Americans in the US during WW2 in the aftermath of the Pearl Harbour bombing. I first came to know about this in Hotel at the corner of bitter and sweet by Jamie Ford which was a very intense and emotional read. This book has wonderful illustrations and spare prose that tell the tale from another angle.
Marco Calvo always knew his grandfather to be a loving, generous man but he is surprised to see a number of people at his funeral whom he cannot place. When he enquires, he learns of a part of his grandfather's life that no one knew about. Of how his grandfather, also Marco,a Sephardic Jew from Turkey, having faced ostracism himself after he emigrated and managed to make a life for himself and his family, could not look away when the Japanese Americans in his neighborhood in Seattle were stripped of their possessions and taken away to camps as a precaution. Among them was his friend Sam Akiyama and Marco resolved to help by ensuring his friend and others like him would not lose everything by the time they were allowed to return. Their possessions were taken over by 'true white Americans' and Marco had to figure out a way to prevent this from happening and he found a clever way to do this. This story is told by Sam Akiyama to Marco's grandson years later and he realises the positive impact his grandfather's courage and timely help had.
The atrocious internment of even American citizens of Japanese origin during this time as a reaction to a bombing they had no part in just highlighted the bias against those deemed 'other'. This book shows how even in those times of war, there were people who risked everything to retain their humanity and help fellow humans. It is an important example of the basic goodness in the midst of so much wrongdoing and deserves to be read and appreciated.
Marco Calvo always knew his grandfather to be a loving, generous man but he is surprised to see a number of people at his funeral whom he cannot place. When he enquires, he learns of a part of his grandfather's life that no one knew about. Of how his grandfather, also Marco,a Sephardic Jew from Turkey, having faced ostracism himself after he emigrated and managed to make a life for himself and his family, could not look away when the Japanese Americans in his neighborhood in Seattle were stripped of their possessions and taken away to camps as a precaution. Among them was his friend Sam Akiyama and Marco resolved to help by ensuring his friend and others like him would not lose everything by the time they were allowed to return. Their possessions were taken over by 'true white Americans' and Marco had to figure out a way to prevent this from happening and he found a clever way to do this. This story is told by Sam Akiyama to Marco's grandson years later and he realises the positive impact his grandfather's courage and timely help had.
The atrocious internment of even American citizens of Japanese origin during this time as a reaction to a bombing they had no part in just highlighted the bias against those deemed 'other'. This book shows how even in those times of war, there were people who risked everything to retain their humanity and help fellow humans. It is an important example of the basic goodness in the midst of so much wrongdoing and deserves to be read and appreciated.
October 5, 2025
it’s been awhile since I read a graphic novel! the art was so beautiful & the story so poignant. thanks to maman for handing this book to me to read while I was in Tacoma. more-so thanks to the Tacoma public library book club for having this be their book this month so maman had it!
I loved that this was based in Seattle & shed light on such a horrible time in the country. This feels particularly relevant as I visited the Japanese American exclusion memorial on bainbridge island a couple months ago with a board I sit on. We were taken through the memorial by Lilly Kitamoto Kodama, a 90 year old survivor of the internment camps. It was so powerful to not only hear her story but to see the photos of her as a child & her family being taken away scattered throughout the memorial site. Such a big part of our history in the puget sound & these atrocities must be publicized & understood.
I thought this graphic novel was a beautiful & unique way to showcase this history. So well done. The only thing is that I wish it was longer!
I loved that this was based in Seattle & shed light on such a horrible time in the country. This feels particularly relevant as I visited the Japanese American exclusion memorial on bainbridge island a couple months ago with a board I sit on. We were taken through the memorial by Lilly Kitamoto Kodama, a 90 year old survivor of the internment camps. It was so powerful to not only hear her story but to see the photos of her as a child & her family being taken away scattered throughout the memorial site. Such a big part of our history in the puget sound & these atrocities must be publicized & understood.
I thought this graphic novel was a beautiful & unique way to showcase this history. So well done. The only thing is that I wish it was longer!
July 27, 2024
Josh Tuininga, through beautiful full scale and richly drawn graphics, transports the young reader to Seattle, Washington during the late 1930s and early 1940s. Marco Calvo mourns the death of his Sephardic Jewish grandfather, Papoo, and notices Japanese Americans filing in to commemorate Sam Calvo's life. Through the craft of flashback, Sam Akiyama, a dear friend of Marco's Papoo, shares Marco's grandfather intense involvement in salvaging the livelihood of the Akiyama family after forced incarceration. Tuininga's images, often darkly shaded, are poignant reminders of the desperate and bleak World War II American effort to relocate and imprison all Japanese Americans. Tuininga cleverly juxtaposes the forced removal of the Jews from their home in Europe with the swift and unfair removal of the Japanese Americans to internment camps. This tender books shares sacrifice on a level that is befitting for a middle school reader. This work is a teaching tool for shedding light on American fear and distrust following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. We Are Not Strangers could perfectly rest on a low rung of a reading ladder while building for more in-depth novels like Farewell to Manzanar.
August 31, 2024
Overjoyed to read a story featuring a Sephardic Jewish person!! Set in the Central District neighborhood in Seattle mostly from 1939-1946, featuring Marco, a Jewish immigrant from modern day Turkey and Sam, whose parents immigrated from Japan, due to racially restrictive housing covenants were able to from a strong friendship over fishing. Reading of the Nazi atrocities in Europe, Marco vows to help Sam, as his family is being forced into Japanese incarceration camps. Marco helps pay Sam’s mortgage and keep his fish market going, so their family has a home and money to return to after their unjust imprisonment. Very thoughtfully written and illustrated!
August 13, 2025
Three stars is probably not a fair rating since I have read so few graphic novels. The story is interesting and inspiring, and I love that it’s set in and is about Seattle, albeit an extremely sad and shameful time period. Still, when I had finished the actual graphic novel part of the book, what most interested me was the text information at the end about the author, his family and his research and statistics about Seattle and the forced Japanese incarceration due to Executive Order 9066. I think I love traditional fiction novels too much to fully appreciate a graphic novel.
September 12, 2025
Based on stories the author heard from his uncle, We Are Not Strangers is a graphic novel that tells the story of how some Jews (and others) in Seattle, helped out their Japanese friends and neighbors when Japanese Americans were incarcerated during WWII. As a result, they did not lose their homes and livelihoods after being sent away. With colorful graphics, this is a well-researched story.
March 29, 2024
Accessible, short (rarely more than 20 words on a page) graphic novel showing an example of allyship in Seattle's Central District during World War II when a Sephardic Jewish man helps keep his Japanese neighbors' property safe when they are incarcerated after Executive Order 9066.
Inspired by an oral history provided by the author's uncle about the uncle's grandfather. I cannot find evidence that the grandfather is also related to the author. Author conducted much research, cited in the back matter, including Seattle landmarks, headlines in contemporary newspapers, and oral histories. Introduction by Ken Mochizuki (Those who helped us and Baseball saved us) and Afterword by Devin E. Naar, Professor in Sephardic Studies at University of Washington, both of which provide more historical detail and context for the story. Author's note describes his uncle Marco's story, the author's experience with his own papoo's (grandfather) maintaining a relationship with the Japanese family fish market near Pike Place Market and accompanying him on errands in the Central District. Back matter also includes a glossary, which describes Ashkenazi Jews as having "originated in Central and Eastern Europe" and Sephardic Jews as "from areas around the Mediterranean Sea, including Portugal, Spain, the Middle East, and Northern Africa." Ladino is described as being "carried by the descendants of the Spanish Jews who were expelled from Spain in 1492."
I'm not sure of the purpose of including the whispering among women during the rabbi's Shabbat HaGadol sermon.
Inspired by an oral history provided by the author's uncle about the uncle's grandfather. I cannot find evidence that the grandfather is also related to the author. Author conducted much research, cited in the back matter, including Seattle landmarks, headlines in contemporary newspapers, and oral histories. Introduction by Ken Mochizuki (Those who helped us and Baseball saved us) and Afterword by Devin E. Naar, Professor in Sephardic Studies at University of Washington, both of which provide more historical detail and context for the story. Author's note describes his uncle Marco's story, the author's experience with his own papoo's (grandfather) maintaining a relationship with the Japanese family fish market near Pike Place Market and accompanying him on errands in the Central District. Back matter also includes a glossary, which describes Ashkenazi Jews as having "originated in Central and Eastern Europe" and Sephardic Jews as "from areas around the Mediterranean Sea, including Portugal, Spain, the Middle East, and Northern Africa." Ladino is described as being "carried by the descendants of the Spanish Jews who were expelled from Spain in 1492."
I'm not sure of the purpose of including the whispering among women during the rabbi's Shabbat HaGadol sermon.
January 22, 2024
We are not Strangers is well written, researched, and illustrated. A refreshing read detailing an oftentimes brushed aside part of history - the wrongful internment of Japanese people in America.
February 14, 2024
Josh Tuininga based his graphic novel on an intriguing bit of family history: how his uncle's grandfather helped an incarcerated Japanese-American family during World War II. Tuininga's drawings really capture Seattle's Central District and the Sephardic Jewish and Japanese communities who lived within it. A wonderful and evocative book; highly recommended.
August 9, 2025
A great retelling of the stories of the oppressed that lived in Washington during WWII. I wish it was a little longer, but it is worth a read!
December 3, 2025
Beautiful graphic novel about how Jewish communities helped the Japanese community during the internment in WW2.
November 8, 2023
A quick and powerful read, showing that there are many ways to help those who are in need. In this story, Sephardic Jewish man Marco helps Japanese Americans when they are interned by keeping their homes rented and paid for (so they do not get seized by the government) and keeps their businesses running. Really informative preface, author's note and ending essay, as well as lots of resources for more information.
December 19, 2023
Learned a lot from this fast graphic novel set in Seattle.
December 31, 2023
This is a wonderful graphic novel. The art is spectacular and captures the environment of the time perfectly. It is such an important story. As a descendent of Japanese-Americans who were incarcerated and Jews who escaped European pogroms, this story especially resonated with me. We are all humans and share so many experiences. Friendship and family help solve so much trauma.
March 30, 2024
A powerful and sad story told via graphic novel. Unique and thought provoking.
May 3, 2024
This was very beautiful and I definitely learned a lot too- 4.5⭐️
November 20, 2025
A great book. Tuininga's work is an incredible project, both as a work of art and as a historical account.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews