Join the largest book club on the West Coast!

 

One Book, One Coast brings together library systems across California, Washington State, and Oregon for a shared community reading program that celebrates literacy, learning, community, and civil discourse. All participating libraries will read and discuss They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Steven Scott, Justin Eisinger and illustrated by Harmony Becker.

They Called Us Enemy is a graphic memoir recounting actor/author/activist George Takei’s childhood imprisoned within American concentration camps during World War II. Confronting questions of patriotism, family, loyalty, and community, George’s work is a stunning examination of what it means to be American, both long ago and today.

April 1, 2026 – June 6, 2026: All participating systems will have unlimited digital copies of They Called Us Enemy available on the Libby app by Overdrive. 

May 12, 2026 at 5:00PM-7:00PM 
Teens: Tell Your Story
George Takei’s graphic novel, They Called Us Enemy is a poignant example of the power of visual story telling. Come reflect with us and tell your own visual story, which you are welcome to share amongst peers or keep privately. All materials will be provided. 
Come create with us! Ages 12-18. 

May 19, 2026 at 5:00PM-7:00PM
Teens: "Arts" of Resistance
Stop by the Teen Space to create art inspired by Japanese Americans imprisoned in incarceration camps during WWII. Materials to create watercolor landscapes, paper flowers, and colorful bird crafts will be provided. We will discuss how art is a powerful form of resistance, creating joy and preserving a sense of agency. 
Come create with us! Ages 12-18

May 18-23, 2026 All Day
Drop In Gaman Bird Craft, while supplies last
Kids ages 3-12, drop in to make a clothespin bird craft inspired by gaman art, objects made by Japanese Americans imprisoned during World War II using whatever materials were available, such as fabric, shells, and paper. Wooden bird pins were a popular craft and expressions of beauty in the incarceration camps.

May 21, 2026 at 5:00PM-7:00PM: Buena Park Library District's book club group (ages 13+) will meet at Ehlers Event Center located at 8150 Knott Avenue, Buena Park, CA 90621. Pre-registration is not required.

• Special guests will be joining us for this discussion: Susan Y. Shimazu, CSUF professor of Asian American Psychology in the Asian American Studies Department and Professor Kristine Dennehy. Kristine Dennehy is Professor of Japanese and Korean History at CSUF, and was the Historical Advisor for an oral history project interviewing Japanese American veterans who served as interpreters in Occupied Japan from 1945-1952. Dr. Dennehy is currently working on a translation of materials from the Tule Lake Japanese-language Library, now housed at the UCLA East Asian Library.  

May 31, 2026 at 2:00PM: One Book, One Coast will close this year’s reading program with a special author talk featuring George Takei. The event will be held in-person at East Los Angeles Library and will also be livestreamed. Register using this link and watch live from your own device! (Link will be live on May 31)