Pedro, Peter in American-style, and his family go on a road trip to bring his abuelito to California from Mexico. Adventure and self-discovery ensue.
This book is full of fun and heartfelt moments. It fills a gap for younger readers looking for a story about self-discovery, fitting in, and family fun. The story has the feel of a journal and the reader feels a real and strong connection to Pedro because of it. Martin gives a clear guide to how the culture can be divided and how not all people of Mexican descent view themselves in the same way, one of the clearest examples of this is in the concept of American-style names. Martin paints the family dynamic in a way that readers can relate to whether it be annoying siblings or dinnertime. Pedro acts as a translator for his parents as many bilingual kids do for parents who are not fluent in the language. Kids of all backgrounds can learn bits of Spanish as it is flawlessly incorporated into the text as a tool to submerse the reader in the culture. You get the sense of two cultures coming together in Pedros's love of Happy Days and Star Wars. All the characters represent people of Mexican descent and are well-represented throughout the text. family pictures at the end add a special touch and remind readers that this story is a memoir.
"Full of humor, heart, and a decent amount of gross-out moments, MartÃn’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." - Kirkus Review
Martin, P. (2023). MEXIKID. Dial Books. ISBN 9780593462287
Comments
Post a Comment