Displacement

Kiku Hughes's graphic novel, "Displacement," follows a contemporary Japanese-American teen named Kiku who finds herself inexplicably transported to the 1940s internment camp where her late grandmother, Ernestina, was held during World War II. As Kiku becomes "stuck" in the past, she experiences firsthand the profound injustices, community spirit, and acts of resistance that defined this dark chapter of American history. The book offers a deeply personal and educational look at the intergenerational impact of memory and trauma, making it an essential read for young adults interested in history, social justice, and family heritage. It's suitable for ages 12-18.

Kiku is on vacation in San Francisco when suddenly she finds herself displaced to the 1940s Japanese-American internment camp that her late grandmother, Ernestina, was forcibly relocated to during World War II. These displacements keep occurring until Kiku finds herself "stuck" back in time. Living alongside her young grandmother and other Japanese-American citizens in internment camps, Kiku gets the education she never received in history class. She witnesses the lives of Japanese-Americans who were denied their civil liberties and suffered greatly, but managed to cultivate community and commit acts of resistance in order to survive. Kiku Hughes weaves a riveting, bittersweet tale that highlights the intergenerational impact and power of memory.