Josh Tuininga is the author of We Are Not Strangers, the young adult book selection for Tacoma Reads 2025.
Fun fact: We Are Not Strangers is Tacoma Reads' first graphic novel selection!
About the book: We Are Not Strangers explores a unique situation of Japanese and Jewish Americans living side by side in a country at war. 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. 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?
‘We Are Not Strangers’ was the winner of the 2024 National EGLA for Best YA graphic novel and was a Finalist for the 2024 Washington State Book Award.
About the author: Josh Tuininga is an author, artist, and designer living in North Bend, Washington.
After studying fine art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he founded an art and design agency, where he continues to work as its creative director. His work has been published in Communication Arts magazine and HOW Design magazine, and he was awarded with the Communication Arts Award for excellence in illustration. Along with We Are Not Strangers, Tuininga is also the author of the children’s books Why Blue? (Xist Publishing, 2014) and Dream On (Indiegogo campaign, 2019).
Meet Josh at the library!
On Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 6 p.m., join us for Tacoma Reads: We Are Not Strangers Author Talk with Josh Tuininga at Main Library! Josh will share the intricacies of his research and creative process. King's Books will be onsite selling copies of We Are Not Strangers for Josh to sign.
