This book is a captivating graphic novel memoir that tells the story of a young Mexican American boy's journey with his family to bring his grandfather from Mexico to the United States. Through engaging illustrations and heartfelt storytelling, Martin explores themes of immigration, family bonds, and cultural identity. In the classroom, teachers can use the book to facilitate discussions about cultural heritage, family history, and the challenges faced by immigrant families. The book can inspire students to share their own stories, write reflective essays, or create art projects that explore their cultural backgrounds and personal connections. ( )

Independent Reading Level: Grades 4-5
Awards: Pura Belpré Youth Illustration Award and the Pura Belpré Children's Author Award

Robust and entertaining family trip ruined by gross nose thing and death of deer. ( )

this book is a graphic novel about a young boy and his families 2000 mile roadtrip to mexico. It is a story that features themes of coming of age, family, and culture. In addition, it is a newberry award winner, and it is so worthy of it!

Martín brings his successful Mexikid Stories online comic series to print.

Living in California’s Central Coast as a first-generation Mexican American, Pedro (or the “American-style” Peter) struggles to find his place. As an American kid growing up in the 1970s, he loves Star Wars and Happy Days but dislikes the way his five oldest siblings, who were born in Mexico, make him feel less Mexican just because he and the three other younger siblings were born after his parents immigrated to the U.S. to work picking strawberries. A family trip to Jalisco to bring their abuelito back to California to live with them presents Pedro with an opportunity to get in touch with his roots and learn more about the places his family calls home. Told from Pedro’s perspective, the panels read as a stream-of-consciousness travelogue as he regales readers with his adventures from the road. Along the way, Pedro has fresh encounters with Mexican culture and experiences some unexpected side quests. Full of humor, heart, and a decent amount of gross-out moments, Martín’s coming-of-age memoir hits all the right notes. Though the family’s travels took place decades ago, the struggles with establishing identity, especially as a child of immigrants whose identity straddles two cultures, feel as current as ever. The vibrant, action-packed panels offer plentiful details for readers to pore over, from scenes of crowded family chaos to the sights of Mexico.

A retro yet timeless story of family and identity. (family photos, author’s note) (Graphic memoir. 9-14)

-Kirkus Review