Josh Tuininga – författare

Inspired by a true story, this graphic novel follows a Jewish immigrant’s efforts to help his Japanese neighbors while they are incarcerated during World War IIMarco Calvo always knew his grandfather, affectionately called Papoo, was a good man. After all, he was named for him. A first-generation Jewish immigrant, Papoo was hardworking, smart, and caring. When Papoo peacefully passes away, Marco expected the funeral to be simple. However, he is caught off guard by something unusual. Among his close family and friends are mourners he doesn’t recognize—Japanese- American families—and no one is quite sure who they are or why they are at the service. How did these strangers know his grandfather so well?Set in the multicultural Central District of Seattle during World War II and inspired by author Josh Tuininga’s family experiences, We Are Not Strangers explores a unique situation of Japanese and Jewish Americans living side by side in a country at war. Following Marco’s grandfather’s perspective, we learn of his life as a Sephardic Jewish immigrant living in America and his struggles as he settles into an America gearing up its war efforts. Despite the war raging just outside US borders, Papoo befriends Sam Akiyama, a Japanese man who finds his world upended from President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066. Determined to keep Sam’s business afloat while he and his family are unjustly incarcerated, Papoo creates a plan that not only changes the lives of the Akiyamas but also of the entire Nihonmachi community. An evocative and beautifully illustrated historical fiction graphic novel revealing the truth of one man’s extraordinary efforts, We Are Not Strangers converges two perspectives into a single portrait of a community’s struggle with race, responsibility, and what it truly means to be an American.

Inspired by a true story, this graphic novel follows a Jewish immigrant’s efforts to help his Japanese neighbors while they're incarcerated during World War II. Winner, Best in Young Adult Non-Fictionfrom the Excellence in Graphic Literature Awards“A powerful book about advocating for friends and neighbors during times of great division.” —Kazu Kibuishi, #1 New York Times bestselling author-illustrator of the Amulet seriesAn evocative and beautiful graphic novel revealing the truth of one man’s extraordinary efforts, We Are Not Strangers converges two perspectives into a single portrait of a community’s struggle with race, responsibility, and what it truly means to be an American.Marco Calvo always knew his grandfather, affectionately called Papoo, was a good man. After all, he was named for him. A first-generation Jewish immigrant, Papoo was hardworking, smart, and caring.When Papoo peacefully passes away, Marco expects the funeral to be simple. But he' caught off guard by something unusual. Among his close family and friends are mourners he doesn’t recognize—Japanese American families—and no one is quite sure who they are or why they are at the service. How did these strangers know his grandfather so well?Set in the multicultural Central District of Seattle during World War II and inspired by author Josh Tuininga’s family experiences, We Are Not Strangers explores a unique situation of Japanese and Jewish Americans living side by side in a country at war.Following Papoo’s perspective, we learn of his life as a Sephardic Jewish immigrant and his friendship with Sam Akiyama, a Japanese man whose life is upended by Executive Order 9066, which authorized the incarceration of nearly all Japanese Americans and residents of Japanese ancestry. Determined to keep Sam’s business afloat while he and his family are unjustly imprisoned, he and Papoo create a plan that will change the Akiyama’s lives forever."At its core, a relatable tale of friendship, shared experiences of discrimination, and the power of individuals to make a difference." — The BeatIntroduction by award-winning author Ken Mochizuki Afterword by Devin Naar, author of Jewish Salonica

An autobiographical YA coming-of-age graphic novel that explores how art and graffiti helped author Josh Tuininga recover after a devastating traumaIt’s 1992 and Josh has everything going for him—a great family, good grades, and lots of friends. But it all grinds to a vicious halt when he’s diagnosed with a serious neurological condition. Josh undergoes a dangerous surgery that saves his life but leaves him scarred—both physically and mentally. Battling depression, he finds comfort in the unlikeliest of places: graffiti.The thrill of making street art gives Josh relief from the pain and trauma—but keeping it secret from his parents, and the police, isn’t easy. When he eventually discovers an underground competition presented by Seattle’s most infamous street-art crew, Josh is desperate to participate, but will the risk be worth it? After all, the harsh truth about graffiti is that sooner or later . . . you’re going to get caught.Based on Josh Tuininga’s experience with the underground street art scene of the ‘90s, Serious Damage also highlights the history of graffiti and the communities and figures who defined the medium, giving depth and context to an often misunderstood art form with extensive back matter and a foreword from noted graffiti historian Alan Ket. This YA graphic novel grapples with themes of depression and recovery while celebrating artistic expression.

An autobiographical YA coming-of-age graphic novel that explores how art and graffiti helped author Josh Tuininga recover after a devastating traumaIt’s 1992 and Josh has everything going for him—a great family, good grades, and lots of friends. But it all grinds to a vicious halt when he’s diagnosed with a serious neurological condition. Josh undergoes a dangerous surgery that saves his life but leaves him scarred—both physically and mentally. Battling depression, he finds comfort in the unlikeliest of places: graffiti.The thrill of making street art gives Josh relief from the pain and trauma—but keeping it secret from his parents, and the police, isn’t easy. When he eventually discovers an underground competition presented by Seattle’s most infamous street-art crew, Josh is desperate to participate, but will the risk be worth it? After all, the harsh truth about graffiti is that sooner or later . . . you’re going to get caught.Based on Josh Tuininga’s experience with the underground street art scene of the ‘90s, Serious Damage also highlights the history of graffiti and the communities and figures who defined the medium, giving depth and context to an often misunderstood art form with extensive back matter and a foreword from noted graffiti historian Alan Ket. This YA graphic novel grapples with themes of depression and recovery while celebrating artistic expression.