They Called Us Enemy

Name: They Called Us Enemy
Author: George Takei

Read with caution

Some content parents may want to preview or discuss.

Published: 2019
Ages: 12–18

About the book

A graphic memoir detailing the author's childhood imprisonment in American concentration camps during World War II.

AI summary

A graphic memoir detailing the author's childhood imprisonment in American concentration camps during World War II.

Why parents choose this book

What makes They Called Us Enemy worth choosing

An honest, parent-first look at who this book suits, what it offers, and what to know before you buy.

Best for

Age range: 12–18 (fits siblings across a range).
Reading maturity: Young adult — teen protagonists and more nuanced themes.
Kids who tend to love it: Biography.
Personality fit: kids ages 12–18 who enjoy a good story.

Parents love this book because

Written by George Takei, whose books parents return to for consistently thoughtful storytelling.

Your child will probably enjoy They Called Us Enemy if they…

Enjoy stories written for kids around ages 12–18

This book helps develop

Vocabulary, sustained attention, and reading confidence for the 12–18 age band.

Things parents should know

Violence: clear on-page conflict without lingering detail.
Language: clean language throughout.

Reading commitment

Estimated reading time

Varies by reader

Length

Length varies by edition

Difficulty

Young adult

Works as read-aloud

Usually read independently

Good for independent readers

Yes — suits confident readers in the age band

Similar books your child may love

Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution · Ji-li Jiang
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 12–18.
This Boy's Life: A Memoir · Tobias Wolff
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 12–18.
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban · Malala Yousafzai
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 12–18.
Seabiscuit: An American Legend · Laura Hillenbrand
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 12–18.
The Cross and the Switchblade · David Wilkerson
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 12–18.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks · Rebecca Skloot
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 12–18.
The Seven Storey Mountain · Thomas Merton
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 12–18.
Smile · Raina Telgemeier
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 12–18.

Why we recommend it

We recommend They Called Us Enemy for the 12–18 age band with a small heads-up on content — worth previewing or discussing. It leans into biography in a way that feels genuine, not formulaic. George Takei's voice is what makes it stick: readable, respectful of kids, and easy to hand to the next child in the family.