Reviews

We Are Not Free by Traci Chee

jenmangler's review against another edition

4.0

I'm usually not a fan of books told through multiple perspectives, but it was the perfect choice for this book. It provides a multi-faceted look at the experience of internment that I haven't seen before, and I really appreciate it. Chee has written a powerful book about a time in U.S. history we don't talk about enough, and I highly recommend it.

pamalama's review against another edition

dark informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

taylor_casey's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative

4.5

brandon_1800's review against another edition

dark emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

jnishi's review against another edition

5.0

If I could give it a sky full of stars instead of just 5 I would. Because it deserves it. As a Biracial Japanese-Canadian the displacement and incarceration of Japanese during WWII (for my family in Canada) is a part of our family history no one really talks about. But it is a part that I achingly want to know more about. So I ordered this book and it was heartbreaking and I kept picturing my family in those camps, in those prisons. I was sobbing at parts uncontrollably. Such beautiful writing and such developed characters. You’d think with so many main characters the author wouldn’t be able to develop all of them and bring all of them to such life, and yet she does. Thank you Traci Chee for this beautiful piece of historical art. I think it would make a breathtaking play. Thank you thank you thank you.

mitskacir's review against another edition

4.0

I am not always a fan of books with alternating narrators, especially ones that have so many. However, I think this book really benefitted from so many storylines, because the author was able to portray so many different and nuanced perspectives/experiences. Similar stories about Japanese incarceration tend to get told over and over, and Chee did a great job retelling them with a lot of heart and also highlighting many less heard narratives. This book really made me want to learn more about my grandmother's experience in the camps and wish that she were still here to talk to. This book clarified some questions I had recalling my grandmother's stories and expanded my understanding of the forced relocation and incarceration. Overall a really great YA read that made this adult who thought she knew a lot about the topic become more curious.

teachergetslit's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

4.0

raeof_sunshinebooks's review against another edition

emotional informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

raethereviewer's review against another edition

5.0

I’ve had this on my shelf for several years now and decided this was finally going to be the year I read it, especially since it’s AAPI month right now. The author did an amazing job of showing the nuance in experiences and capturing the essence of what people would have gone through in this time. It’s definitely a book I’ll be recommending to high schoolers.

susie_reads's review against another edition

challenging dark informative sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25