My Lost Freedom

A Japanese American World War II Story

By: George Takei

Narrated by: George Takei

A moving true story for children ages 6 to 9 about growing up in Japanese American incarceration camps during World War II—from the iconic Star Trek actor, activist, and author of the New York Times bestselling graphic memoir They Called Us Enemy.

February 19, 1942. George Takei is four years old when his world changes forever. Two months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declares anyone of Japanese descent an enemy of the United States.

George and his family were American in every way. They had done nothing wrong. But because of their Japanese ancestry, they were removed from their home in California and forced into camps with thousands of other families who looked like theirs.

Over the next three years, George had three different “homes”: the Santa Anita racetrack, swampy Camp Rohwer, and infamous Tule Lake. But even though they were now living behind barbed wire fences and surrounded by armed soldiers, his mother and father did everything they could to keep the family safe.

In My Lost Freedom, George Takei looks back at his own memories to help children today understand what it feels like to be treated as an enemy by your own country. This is a story of a family’s courage, a young boy’s resilience, and the importance of staying true to yourself in the face of injustice.

Critic reviews

"A candid yet tender glimpse at a bleak chapter in U.S. history." —Kirkus Reviews

"This worthwhile picture book introduces an important topic in American history." —Booklist

"Takei’s narration is contemplative but conversational, inviting the reader to see his experience both through the eyes of his child self and the somber reflections of an adult....relatable but terribly bittersweet." —The Bulletin

touched my heart, proud to be a Japanese American

Thank you Mr. Takei for sharing your story, our story. Let's hope Americans are never incarcerated again.

that we are not able to go back to hateful laws and we must stand up to hate

I like the audiobook but it's parts of America's dark history which is unacceptable. This should have never happened. #neveragainwrwillhateothers

A good Audiobook

I know it was meant as a Children’s book and I found it interesting . On his recollections of being in a camp.

excellent telling of a hard but need to hear truth

I really liked how George took us through his story growing up in the camp as his childhood self would have done, it also had the other relevant things we Americans need to hear so it doesn't happen again!