Students at Mill Creek Middle School had a special opportunity to connect literature and history when local author Kiku Hughes visited their campus to discuss her acclaimed graphic novel, Displacement.
Eighth-grade students have been reading Displacement as part of their Washington State History curriculum, exploring themes that align closely with their recent lessons on the Japanese American incarceration during World War II. The novel follows a modern-day teenager who is transported back in time to witness her grandmother’s experience in an internment camp, offering a powerful lens through which students can understand this significant chapter of American history.
The books were made available to the class thanks to a generous grant from the Rotary Club of Kent, whose support helped ensure each student could engage deeply with Hughes’ work.
During her visit, Hughes shared insights into her creative process, the historical research behind the novel, and the importance of remembering the injustices faced by Japanese Americans during the war. Students were able to ask questions, discuss key moments in the book, and reflect on how history continues to shape identity and community today.
Mill Creek Middle School educators expressed gratitude for the Rotary Club’s support and for Hughes’ visit, which brought both history and storytelling to life for their students.