Justin Eisinger is co-author of the
New York Times Best Selling graphic memoir,
They Called Us Enemy, George Takei's story of childhood internment. During a career of more than a dozen years immersed in graphic storytelling, a fateful encounter with
March author and Civil Rights pioneer Congressman John Lewis inspired Eisinger to turn his experience adapting television episodes and film towards bringing engaging non-fiction stories to readers. Born in Akron, Ohio, Eisinger lives in San Diego, California, with his wife and two dogs, and in his spare time publishes North America's only
inline skating magazine.
Awards
A New York Times Bestseller
An ALA Notable Children's Book for Older Readers
Winner of the Will Eisner Award
for Best Reality-Based Work
Winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award
for Young Adult Literature
Winner of the American Book Award
Winner of the National Cartoonists Society
Award for Excellence in Graphic Novels
Winner of the Dwayne McDuffie
Award for Diversity in Comics
Winner of the Mike Wieringo Award
for Best Non-Fiction Comic Work
Winner of the BookPal "Outstanding Work of Literature"
Award for Biography & Memoir
One of YALSA's Top 10 Great Graphic Novels for Teens
Featured in the Texas Library Association's
Maverick, Topaz, and Tayshas Reading Lists
Nominated for Arkansas' Teen Book Award,
Illinois' Abraham Lincoln Award, Indiana's Eliot Rosewater Award, and Rhode Island's Teen Book Award
Named one of the Best Books of the Year
by Amazon, NPR, New York Public Library, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, IGN, and Forbes
Quotes
"Moving and layered... Takei challenges Americans to look to how past humanitarian injustices speak to current political debates. Giving a personal view into difficult history,
[They Called Us Enemy] is a testament to hope and tenacity in the face of adversity."
- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"A compelling blend of nostalgia and outrage... this approachable, well-wrought graphic memoir is important reading, particularly in today's political climate. Pair with John Lewis' acclaimed
March series for a thought-provoking, critical look at the history of racism in American policies and culture."
- Booklist (starred review)
"This evocative memoir shares stories of the nation's past, draws heartbreaking parallels to the present, and serves as a cautionary tale for the future. For all readers old enough to understand the importance of our collective history."
- School Library Journal (starred review)
"Emotionally staggering...
They Called Us Enemy also inspires readers to engage through democracy to insist that we treat fellow human beings with fairness and dignity."
- Amazon Best Books of the Month
"Riveting... Takei has evolved into an increasingly powerful voice for oppressed communities, and
They Called Us Enemy finds him at peak moral clarity - an unflinching force in these divisive times."
- The Washington Post
"A detailed, wrenching account...
They Called Us Enemy should prove the most potent introduction for younger readers to this ignoble chapter in our history."
- The New York Times
"Powerful, moving and relevant."
- Los Angeles Times
"A tale of triumph over adversity."
- BBC America
"A highly readable graphic novel treatment of the internment of Japanese Americans, giving a new generation of young readers a striking example of what the United States is capable of, told from the perspective of someone who personally suffered from that injustice... in a more vivid, first-person account than textbooks and lectures can ever achieve."
- The Comics Journal
