As the largest book club on the West Coast, One Book, One Coast brings readers together around one book to create opportunities for conversation, reflection, and meaningful connection across neighborhoods, cities, and state lines.
They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Steven Scott, and Justin Eisinger and illustrated by Harmony Becker is the title chosen to read and discuss. Through this shared reading experience, communities are encouraged to explore themes of identity, patriotism, family, loyalty, and resilience while strengthening connections through dialogue and learning.
How to Participate
Beginning Wednesday, April 1, 2026 a free copies of They Called Us Enemy from any Tulare County Library Branch are available, while supplies last. Limit one book per person. The book can also be requested from the collection with a current library card online or by visiting or calling the Library.
From Wednesday, April 1, 2026 through Saturday, June 6, 2026 unlimited digital copies of the eBook in English and Spanish are available through the Libby app by OverDrive.
Tulare County Library offers two local programs. Uprooted Memories, Recollections of the Japanese American Incarceration panel on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 11am, at the Visalia Branch Library located at 200 W Oak Ave Visalia. A discussion of the book, They Called Us Enemy on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 6pm at the Exeter Branch Library 230 E Chestnut Exeter 93221. Please attend to join other community members together in conversation.
Please visit www.tularecountylibrary.org/oboc for more information.
About the Book
They Called Us Enemy a powerful graphic memoir by George Takei that reflects on civil liberties, democracy, and what it means to be American — both historically and today. The memoir recounts actor/author/activist George Takei’s childhood imprisoned within American concentration camps during World War II.
Author Talk with George Takei
To close the program, George Takei appears for a special author talk and book signing on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 2 pm at East Los Angeles Library, a Los Angeles County Library Branch. Join the livestream on YouTube that allows readers to participate together. A link to the livestream will be shared via social media in the coming months.
Tulare County Library serves all the residents of Tulare County with locations in 17 communities, a literacy center, Pop Up Tulare County outreach and bookmobile, online www.tularecountylibrary.org, and coming soon Book Lockers for holds pick up. Follow the Library on Facebook www.facebook.com/tularecountylibrary or local branch pages, Instagram, @tularecountylib, or Twitter at twitter.com/TulareCountyLib.
Tulare County Library’s One Book, One Coast project is made possible by the support of the Tulare County Library Foundation. The Library Foundation, a 501(c)3, ensures the success of the Library with financial support through community fundraising, including its continued growth of its million-dollar endowment to ensure regular funding for the future. The Foundation is also dedicated to fundraising for Library construction and remodeling projects, including Dinuba, Springville, Alpaugh, and Orosi projects. www.tularecountylibrary.org/foundation