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wanderlust_romance's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
What a delightful read! I read parts of this with my child, a 4th grader, and decided to read it the entire way through on my own. It was funny, lighthearted, thoughtful, and wonderfully entertaining. While you are following Pedro/Peter and his family on a long road trip from Watsonville, CA to Jalisco, MX with the intent of bringing Abuelito to the US with them, Mexikid also reflects on what it means to be Mexican-American. There are ways in which many of us, myself included, sometimes grapple with not feeling “Mexican enough,” which is a lot of what Pedro reflects on throughout this road trip experience. His Spanish isn’t perfect or fluent. He hasn’t had the same experiences as his older siblings who were born in Mexico. He can’t quite muster his grito. He is thoroughly obsessed with Star Wars and The Fonz. At the same time, this is a graphic novel memoir, so as a reader you are able to see how Pedro learns about his family’s storied history and about his parents’ experiences growing up in Mexico before their migration to the US. There is also the emotional event for the Martin family, who must relocate the grave of Abuelita before Abuelo is comfortable saying goodbye to his pueblo. But there’s a great balance here, as the story is also filled with humor. My son and I both laughed out loud. Such an enjoyable and lovely read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and War
hollowpurp's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
jehansen127's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Body shaming, Death, Excrement, and Death of parent
joanna_banana's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
This is very sweet! Loved the artwork and this platform for telling the story of his family and how he developed his identity as a “Mexikid.” I laughed out loud several times. It gets pretty deep still in parts with his Abuelito and Abuelita, his reflections as a kid of Mexican parents who was born in the US, what it means to be a hero. My daughter enjoyed it too - I’d recommend this for any 5th grader and up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Animal death, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: War
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
I want to buy the print copy of the graphic novel now after listening to an ALC from PRH Audio (thank you PRH Audio - I'm providing this honest review on my own accord!) I am so curious as to how it is illustrated, or to read it alongside listening to the audiobook! I loved this story <3
The audiobook was narrated by an entire cast, (also, there is background music!!) all of whom did an excellent job:
I want to buy the print copy of the graphic novel now after listening to an ALC from PRH Audio (thank you PRH Audio - I'm providing this honest review on my own accord!) I am so curious as to how it is illustrated, or to read it alongside listening to the audiobook! I loved this story <3
The audiobook was narrated by an entire cast, (also, there is background music!!) all of whom did an excellent job:
- Oscar Emmanuel Fabela, Omar Levya, Cynthia Farrell, Kevin Orduño, Elena Ray, Avi Roque, Christophe Landa, Daisy Guevara, Alejandro Vargas-Lugo, Fernando Monroy
Basically, Pedro is one of nine kids and they're already fighting for space in their home when their parents inform them that they will be going to Mexico to pick up their ailing abuelito. Now, he will come live with their family! Though Pedro is initially frustrated because this is just one more person to take up space in their home, we are taken on an RV road trip from LA to Mexico. On the way, Pedro learns more and more about his abuelito, who was known as the “hero of Jalisco,” as he lived through and was part of the Mexican Revolution!
I really enjoyed the familial dynamics that were so vividly illustrated by the cast's narration and PM's writing. I am one of three kids, so hearing about being one out of nine kids was such a fun perspective to explore. This was everything I love about middle grade: goofy hijinks, everything feeling like *high stakes*, finding one's place (especially in this big family that is only getting bigger!), and so much pure giddiness and excitement over novelty.
For example, in chapter 7: The Other Side, Pedro is over the moon when he sees faux action figures at a market, and buys so many because of how affordable they were. I also cracked up when they drank raw milk at the market, and they literally have to run to the bathroom hahaha. The goofiness and the humor is that of a middle-grade aged kid, and though it's gross, I am here for it hahaha. The deer scene was sad, because I felt sad for Pedro having to contend with that as a kid😭
Since this is a memoir, we get a bit more context on Pedro’s family in the author’s note at the end, like his grandpa lived to be 107 and had 53 grandkids! He also explains what a “Mexikid” is <3
I highly recommend this, whether you read it as an audiobook (top notch experience), or you read the ebook or print copy. You will not be disappointed!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Bullying
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Child death, Death, Violence, and War
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
4.0
This got a bunch of different honors at the Youth Media Awards, so I figured why not pick it up! The overall tone hits its target audience, and though there is a lot going on in the story itself, it doesn't feel like it's too overwhelming. There's a lot in here that kids will definitely love!
There is a bit of animal death there at the end, so beware of that if you pick this one up. I enjoyed the back matter as well, with pictures and such from Martín's actual childhood. Lots of kids will relate to his family life, and the graphic novel form definitely makes it more accessible. Overall, definitely an enjoyable book!
There is a bit of animal death there at the end, so beware of that if you pick this one up. I enjoyed the back matter as well, with pictures and such from Martín's actual childhood. Lots of kids will relate to his family life, and the graphic novel form definitely makes it more accessible. Overall, definitely an enjoyable book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, and Death
Moderate: Child death, Excrement, and Grief
Minor: Ableism
jartone93's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
fast-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, and Excrement
ninahuynh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
5.0
Overall, a fun adventure to Mexico and back. It was fun learning about Mexico and testing my Spanish skills. Pedro has flaws but is simply a child being a child. The photos at the end are nice. There were at least 2 typos in the "My Real-Life Familia" section but I'll let it slide this time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Child death, Death, and Excrement
girlreading's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A sweet graphic novel that’s equal parts silly, thoughtful and poignant, with fabulous illustrations and a humour that’s perfect for younger readers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, and Death
emilychau's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Death