We Are Not Free, by Traci Chee

We Are Not Free, by Traci Chee, is a riveting story that follows the lives of fourteen Japanese teens after the bombing of Pearl Harbor during World War II. As a collective, the teens suffer through many hardships, including racism, being forced out of their homes, and livig in Japanese concentration camps. Each teen tells their personal story following their unique experiences living through the war. Through each individual hardship, a collective story unravels, making an enthralling read.

In my opinion, We Are Not Free is an amazing book that puts into perspective how one event can impact people in different ways. I enjoyed reading fourteen different perspectives because it made every chapter feel fresh and exciting. Even with different plots for different characters, the story still has a sense of connectivity, which helps bring everything together in the end. However, one downside was not getting the full conclusions to many of the characters' stories, which was disappointing. 

Reviewed by Atlas T, Grade 10

Glendale Central Library