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Published in 1946, this is a first-person account in both illustrations and words of life in the U.S. concentration camps for Japanese-Americans.

This was far less scathing than I expected, so I‘m glad I read the introduction by Christine Hong for more context. Coming out in ‘46 the illustrations countered the racist cartoons of the war years (Dr Seuss, et al) and helped people understand this could happen to any American.

#crossculturalstories

Example from 'Citizen 13660'.....each page features an illustration

Okubos recording of what she saw, heard and experienced while an evacuees to a Japanese American internment camp, 1940s. She wanted "to see what happens to people when reduced to one status and condition". Cameras were not permitted, so Okubos sketched, drew and painted what she saw. Each page has an illustration that gives much depth to this sad but inspiring novel.

"In the history of the United States this was the first mass evacuation of its kind, in which civilians were moved simply because of their race."

Library Haul....

#SundayNightReads

This book is excellent. It is so important for everyone to read. I loved the fact that this was done in a graphic novel. It is really not something that is talked about too much but we should pay attention to the way in which the Japanese were treated during World War II. It is so very important to understand this history and be aware. This book was great! Read it!!