The Friends of the Redmond Library are thrilled to bring back Redmond Reads! This year, we will be reading the graphic novel We Are Not Strangers by Josh Tuininga, and will explore local history, the power of stories, and the voices of the Jewish and Japanese communities here during the 1940s.
Looking for digital?
Check out the graphic novel on Hoopla.
About the Book
Set in the multicultural Central District of Seattle during World War II and inspired by author and artist 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 Marco’s grandfather’s perspective, we learn of his life as a Sephardic Jewish immigrant living in America and his struggles as he settles into an America gearing up its war efforts. Despite the war raging just outside U.S. borders, Papoo befriends Sam Akiyama, a Japanese man who finds his world upended from President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066. Determined to keep Sam’s business afloat while he and his family are unjustly incarcerated, Papoo creates a plan that not only changes the lives of the Akiyamas but of the entire Nihonmachi community.
This Year's Events
- Tuesday, April 7: Community Writers Group
- Sunday, April 12: Graphic Novel Book Tasting
- Thursday, April 23: Graphic Novel 101
- Sunday, May 3: Author Talk: Josh Tuininga
- Thursday, May 7: Redmond Book Club
Author Talk with Josh Tuininga
Sunday, May 3, 1-3pm
Author Josh Tuininga joins us at the Redmond Senior & Community Center to discuss the creation of his graphic novel and a lively panel discussion around the importance of preserving history through stories and community. Meet us in the Red Oak Community Room to ask questions, meet the author, and get a signed copy of his book. Brick & Mortar Books will be onsite to sell copies of We Are Not Strangers, and Josh will be signing copies.
Tabling organizations include Densho, Friends of the Redmond Library, and Redmond Historical Society.
About the Author
Josh Tuininga is an author, artist, and designer living in North Bend, Washington. After studying fine art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he founded an art and design agency, where he continues to work as its creative director. His work has been published in Communication Arts magazine and HOW Design magazine, and he was awarded with the Communication Arts Award for excellence in illustration. Tuininga is the author of the children’s books 'Why Blue?' and 'Dream On'. We Are Not Strangers, which was a finalist for the Washington State Book Award, is his first graphic novel.
