66 pages • 2 hours read
Traci CheeWe Are Not Free
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2020A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
We Are Not Free by Traci Chee follows a group of Japanese American teenagers in San Francisco after Pearl Harbor, as their community is forced into internment camps under discriminatory laws. They endure hardships, including poor living conditions and mandatory loyalty questionnaires, while some enlist in the army to prove their loyalty. The story captures their resilience and the emotional toll of these experiences. The novel contains references to racial slurs and violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
We Are Not Free by Traci Chee has garnered acclaim for its rich narrative and vivid characters, capturing the Japanese American internment experience with emotional depth. Positive feedback highlights Chee's compelling storytelling and nuanced perspectives. Some critiques mention the large number of voices can be disorienting. Overall, it's a powerful, poignant read.
Who Should Read We Are Not Free?
Readers who enjoy poignant, multi-perspective historical fiction like Salt to the Sea or The Book Thief will be captivated by Traci Chee's We Are Not Free. This novel appeals to those interested in World War II narratives and explores themes of identity, resilience, and the Japanese American internment.
RecommendedReading Age
15-18yearsLexile Level
860LBook Details
Historical Fiction
Asian Literature
Modern Classic Fiction
WWII / World War II
Asian Literature
Race / Racism
Military / War
History: World
Society: Politics & Government
Relationships: Friendship
Relationships: Family