We Are Not Free: A Printz Honor Winner

We Are Not Free is a powerful and moving novel that tells the collective story of fourteen young Nisei, second-generation Japanese Americans, whose lives are forever changed by the mass incarceration of their families during World War II.

Set in San Francisco's Japantown, this book follows the interconnected lives of these teenagers as they face racism, injustice, and uncertainty with courage, pride, and love.

With a passionate and personal approach, author Traci Chee brings to life a tragic period in American history, shedding light on the incarceration of over 100,000 people of Japanese ancestry and its lasting impact on their families and communities.

Through the eyes of these fourteen teenagers, We Are Not Free is an unforgettable must-read that will leave readers with a newfound appreciation for the strength and resilience of those who came before us.