Attend a Virtual Jewish Book Council Author Talk by Josh Tuininga about his YA Graphic Novel We Are Not Strangers - Inspired by a true story
Thursday, January 16 at 7pm on Zoom
Click here to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lceCqpzwuGtzCze7lq5A1v7D6_fxofT8J
We Are Not Strangers. Inspired by a true story (Abrams ComicArts 2023)
An Award-Winning Graphic Novel
2024 Washington State Book Award FINALIST
2024 Excellence in Graphic Literature | Best YA Non-Fiction WINNER
2024 American Library Association | Sophie Brody Medal HONOREE
2024 KCLS Literary Lions AWARD
2024 Anti-Defamation League Books Matter Collection
On Thursday, January 16 at 7pm, Falmouth Jewish Congregation invites all to join a virtual Jewish Book Council author talk by Josh Tuininga on his multiple award-winning graphic novel We Are Not Strangers, inspired by real events that took place in Seattle during WWII. This virtual talk is free and open to the public, suitable for teens and adults, and requires advance registration for Zoom at the link above. Falmouth Public Library’s Young Adult Services is a community partner for this talk and will hold a simultaneous in-person viewing and discussion. To attend, contact Young Adult Librarian Clint Johnson at cjohnson@falmouthpubliclibrary.org. This author talk has been scheduled in the days before the National Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday to offer an opportunity for our community to reflect on the historical and current importance of acts neighborly love and compassion. Local independent bookshop Eight Cousins is handling book sales and signing.
Inspired by a true story and set in Seattle, Tuininga’s graphic novel portrays a community’s struggle with race, responsibility and what it truly means to be an American. This is an innovative graphic novel and a powerful story for all ages – and a gathering at Falmouth Public Library enables youth to engage in discussion afterwards. We Are Not Strangers is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Excellence in Graphic Literature Award, the KCLS Literary Lions Award, inclusion in the ADL 2024 Books Matter Collection, the Mary Sue Best Non-Fiction Award, and the 2024 Jewish Comic Experience Award.
The story begins when Marco Calvo arrives at the synagogue for her grandfather’s funeral and is caught off guard by the presence of some people he doesn’t recognize – several Japanese American families. Who are these strangers who were close to his grandfather? What Marco discovers on his quest to understand why leads him on a journey to explore the powerful true story of his Jewish grandfather, a Sephardic Jewish American (an immigrant from Turkey) who sided with Japanese families when Japanese Americans were relocated to incarceration camps during WWII. Set in the multicultural Seattle Central District of the 1940s, We Are Not Strangers explores the unique situation of Japanese and Jewish Americans living side by side in a country at war.
About Josh Tuininga
Josh Tuininga is an author, artist, and graphic designer based in North Bend, WA. A graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Tuininga's artistic career has explored a variety of mediums including sequential art, animation, painting and design. In 2003, he founded an Art + Design Agency, The Medium where he continues to work as Creative Director.
Josh is the author of ‘We Are Not Strangers’ (Abrams ComicArts 2023), and two children’s books, Why Blue? & Dream On. He also makes music with his wife as To the River. You can find information about his events and classes here.
To RSVP and learn about the complete 2023-2024 Jewish Book Council author talk series, visit www.falmouthjewish.org. The next event in the series is a virtual talk by Senator Ron Wyden his recent book It Takes Chutzpah: How to Fight Fearlessly for Progressive Change on Thursday, January 30 at 7pm.