Topics

  • Jewish Identity
  • Jewish American Heritage

Summary

We Are Not Strangers is a graphic novel, suitable for students in grades 6-12, inspired by a true story about cross-cultural friendship and the meaning of loyalty. It takes place in Seattle’s Central District before and during World War II and tells the story of two families – one of Sephardic Jewish immigrants and the other of Japanese Americans – who form a bond during a time of upheaval.

Through multiple perspectives, students gain insight into antisemitism, anti-Japanese racism, prejudice, and the impact of war. They learn about the unjust incarceration of the Akiyama family and how their close friend, a Sephardic Jewish immigrant known to his grandson as Papoo, works to keep the family’s business afloat and devises a plan to change their lives forever.