We Are Not Strangers was inspired by a true story. The plot of this graphic novel follows a Jewish immigrant’s efforts to help his Japanese neighbors while they are interned during World War II. I had never before heard about anyone ever trying to help the Japanese and am amazed, and thrilled, that someone was brave enough to help out. Author Josh Tuininga is the real life Marco Calvo in the story and his grandfather, nicknamed Papoo, is the hero.
The publisher's summary:
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 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 Papoo’s perspective, we learn of his life as a Sephardic Jewish immigrant and his friendship with Sam Akiyama, a Japanese man whose life is upended by Executive Order 9066, which authorized the incarceration of nearly all Japanese Americans and residents of Japanese ancestry. Determined to keep Sam’s business afloat while he and his family are unjustly imprisoned, he and Papoo create a plan that will change the Akiyama’s lives forever.
The book is a page turner. It is well written, researched, and illustrated. The story opens with Papoo's 1987 funeral in the Sephardic Bikur Holim Synagogue, where his grandson is surprised by the presence of several Japanese American guests. Subsequent chapters each begin with dates ranging from 1938 to 1945. Readers who are unfamiliar with the distinctive history of Sephardic immigrants to America will learn how they were marginalized. Marco eventually develops a successful business career while Sam Akiyama opens a fish market. Both have had to deal with prejudice. Although Marco and his family are outsiders in terms of their religion, culture, and language, they are safe. The Akiyama family, on the other hand, is forced to leave their home, business, and community because of unfounded fears about Japanese American disloyalty. At the same time, the Calvo family is terrified about the fate of Europe’s Jews, which ultimately contributes to Marco’s conviction that he must help others facing oppression.
Archival family photos helped Tuininga draw the faces for his characters and visits to Seattle were crucial in re-creating the locations that he drew. A few key scenes between Papoo and his friend Sam Akiyama take place at the waterfront, where the two men companionably fish by the pier. It’s a nod to the real-life Marco Calvo, who owned the Ferry Dock Tavern in the Colman Dock ferry terminal building (a business also depicted in the book).
5 out of 5 stars.
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