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storiesandsidequests's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This historical fiction YA novel is the collective account of a tight-knit group of young Nisei, second-generation Japanese American citizens, whose lives are irrevocably changed by the mass U.S. incarcerations of World War II. As a Japanese-American, this book hit so hard. I’m not generally an emotional person but I teared up several times reading this. Although the characters are all connected, it was a little difficult keeping track of all of them since there are so many perspectives. However, it was easy to connect with each character when we were reading from their point of view.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Police brutality, and Violence
emilyeehaw's review against another edition
emotional
sad
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
oh this was lovely. it combined so many of my favorite things: historical fiction from non-white perspectives, the found family trope/group of ragtag kids finding each other, multiple points of view...truly loved it!
this book follows 14 perspectives during the 1940s when Japanese people living in america were forcibly removed from their homes and put into detention centers, basically prisons just for their identity. through these 14 different lenses we get to see how the war and the racism and prejudice of the 1940s has impacted them and their families.
though i have read several books about this time period, it is always horrifying to read about the reality of the situation and how Japanese people were treated. traci chee did a great job of exploring these atrocities and connecting it to modern day....how history will repeat itself if we're not aware of what's going on in our world.
though i struggled to connect with some of the perspectives, i still loved the overall story and how it incorporated mixed media elements.
this book follows 14 perspectives during the 1940s when Japanese people living in america were forcibly removed from their homes and put into detention centers, basically prisons just for their identity. through these 14 different lenses we get to see how the war and the racism and prejudice of the 1940s has impacted them and their families.
though i have read several books about this time period, it is always horrifying to read about the reality of the situation and how Japanese people were treated. traci chee did a great job of exploring these atrocities and connecting it to modern day....how history will repeat itself if we're not aware of what's going on in our world.
though i struggled to connect with some of the perspectives, i still loved the overall story and how it incorporated mixed media elements.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Violence
kindredbooks's review
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Grab a box of tissues. You’ll need it. This book was heartbreakingly perfect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
serendipitysbooks's review
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
We Are Not Free is a hard hitting YA novel, told from the point of view of fourteen young Nissei who were all incarcerated. Having so many different perspectives really allowed the author to hone in on the variety of experiences and reactions among the Japanese population. I appreciated the differing views on whether or not to enrol in the army and the issues with the so-called loyalty oaths. The author did a great job of using different voices and styles for each section.
I loved that actual photos and documents were included within the text, and the author’s note is another valuable addition.
I loved that actual photos and documents were included within the text, and the author’s note is another valuable addition.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Violence
sunsetcity's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a very powerful book about a topic that is not often talked about in history, the internment of Japanese people during WWII in both America and Canada. This book did a really good job of exploring the different emotions and facets of this time period through 14 different perspectives. I also really enjoyed how each perspective was very unique in voice and in story telling method (some were in second person, plural, and even in verse). All the differing emotions that each character faced while in these camps or fighting for a country that had held them captive was really explored well and interesting to read. My only criticism was that I got confused between characters quite a bit and it did take me a little while to ground myself in the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
eeeva's review
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse
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