“We Are Not Strangers: A Graphic Novel” achieves a rare feat of having a poignant, impactful story based on true historical events AND having fantastic artwork. Bravo to Tuininga.

This book was born from curiosity and a whole lot of research. Tuininga’s uncle, Marco, while attending his grandfather’s funeral services in 1987, observed three guests that he did not know. What makes it even more curious is that Marco and his family are Sephardic Jewish immigrants, while these unknown guests are all Japanese. The book then goes back in time, to before the beginning of World War I, when Marco’s grandfather, the original Marco journeyed to America. Like many immigrants of color, redlining kept them in certain districts. Marco befriended a Japanese American, Sam Akiyama, and became fishing buddies. In time, the events of WWII, the bombing of Japanese Harbor, and the 1942 mandatory evacuation (Executive Order 9066, i.e. internment camps) dramatically changed their lives. Marco, having seen all that had happened to Jews overseas and whom he couldn’t help, was determined to help those he can. With some research, he figured out how and got to work for the next years until the Akiyama family and several other families he had helped were finally released and returned in 1946. How did he help? Each family signed over limited power of attorney. Marco rented out their houses, collecting rent to pay mortgage and taxes, and made repairs as a property manager. He had to do it stealthily, so he would not be branded a “J*p-lover” and risked a beating during those ugly years. He never told anyone, not even his own family to protect them. Through letters that Akiyama kept and stories from Akiyama himself, Tuininga pieced together this hidden part of Grandpa Marco’s momentous history.

Tuininga further included historical images, locations, and landmarks to explain sources and inspirations of stories. An example is the famous Linc’s Tackle Shop, whose Japanese owners were able to keep their shop because a family friend paid their taxes while they were gone and whose grandson now runs the very popular Seattle Fish Guys fishmonger and restaurant.

I had the pleasure of attending the author’s talk. The simplicity of what had happened, layered by the many historical tidbits of the area, made the book very worthwhile. ( )

graphic novel, historical fiction inspired by the author's uncle's Sephardic Jewish grandfather as well as other oral history accounts of similar events, taking place in Seattle.

A Sephardic Jewish immigrant helps his Japanese-American friend by maintaining his (and those of other Japanese-Americans) properties during the forced internment/incarceration in WWII, acting as a landlord and collecting rent in the interim so that families could return to their homes and businesses afterwards.

This was highly recommended to me by a friend for its moving, easy to read story and historical background (don't skip the author's notes at the beginning and end). It was very informative, not just in the story where Jewish people empathized with and offered aid to another minority group being unfairly persecuted and forced out of their homes, but also in providing a little background about the Sephardic Jewish community in Seattle and their unique Ladino language. There is also a nice overview of the different historic neighborhoods and landmarks in Seattle. ( )

I've been eagerly awaiting this book. Based in Seattle the story is of two men, one Jewish, the other Japanese. They start off as casual fishing acquaintances and become friends. As WWII starts, Sam Akiyama faces the reality he will have to give up his life and livelihood to live in an internment camp for an indeterminant amount of time his Jewish friend steps forward and tells him to turn over his house and business to him to keep them running and safe. It took a lot of trust and sacrifice for the arrangement to work. This was a balm to read with the current strife in the world and a way to remind people, especially children, individual relationships matter, proximity to different people promote understanding, and we can take individual actions to make a difference. ( )

*sweet, emotional, feel-good book
*the bonds of unexpected friendships during war (between Jewish and Japanese families) is the basis of the story
*very well-written and easy to read from cover to cover
*strong character development
*highly recommend ( )