They Called Us Enemy

A first-hand account of a family’s experience in Japanese internment during World War II, Star Trek’s George Takei tells his story as he reflects on his childhood while being an imprisoned Japanese American in his own birth country. This approachable graphic memoir uses engaging visuals and flashbacks to Takei’s memories to broach the themes of social justice, racism, and discrimination. Students in Grade 5–12 can learn about World War II while also examining racism and social justice, also being encouraged to participate in classroom discussions around these topics. In the classroom, “They Called Us Enemy” could be used as part of a literary exploration about racism and internment or as part of a literature circle.