Review By: Anonymous
Published: 2023
Genre(s): Graphic Novel, LGBTQAI+, Family, Latinx, Biography
Audience: Grades 7–12
Content Warnings: Depression, Immigrant status
Goodreads Link: ¡Ay, Mija!: My Bilingual Summer in Mexico
Publisher’s Summary:
“An absolutely heartwarming and vibrant story of belonging, family, and the meaning of home. This book is a treasure.” – Julie Murphy, New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin’ In this bilingual, inventive, and heartfelt debut, graphic novel talent Christine Suggs explores a trip they took to Mexico to visit family, embracing and rebelling against their heritage and finding a sense of belonging. Sixteen-year-old Christine takes their first solo trip to Mexico to spend a few weeks with their grandparents and tía. At first, Christine struggles to connect with family they don’t yet share a language with. Seeing the places their mom grew up—the school she went to, the café where she had her first date with their father—Christine becomes more and more aware of the generational differences in their family. Soon Christine settles into life in Mexico, eating pan dulce, drawing what they see, and growing more comfortable with Spanish. But when Mom joins their trip, Christine’s two worlds collide. They feel homesick for Texas, struggle against traditions, and miss being able to speak to their mom without translating. Eventually, through exploring the impacts of colonialism in both Mexico and themselves, they find their place in their family and start to feel comfortable with their mixed identity.
Review:
As a Spanish teacher and lifelong lover of Latin American culture, I was immediately drawn to Christine Suggs’ ¡Ay, Mija! My Bilingual Summer in Mexico. This heartfelt and visually engaging graphic novel beautifully captures the complexity, warmth, and challenges of navigating two cultures and two languages.
The story follows Christine, a Mexican American teenager who spends a summer in Mexico with her family. Through her eyes, readers experience the vibrant rhythm of Mexico City as well as the slower, more traditional life in the rural countryside. I loved how the novel highlights the rich culture and history of both settings, from the colorful mercados to the deep family roots that tie generations together.
As someone who teaches Spanish, I particularly appreciated how the book portrays Christine’s struggle to understand not just the Spanish language but also the nuances of Mexican family dynamics. Her journey feels deeply authentic, a mix of humor, frustration, and self discovery that many bilingual and bicultural students will recognize.
One of my favorite aspects of the book is the food. Each meal Christine encounters feels like a celebration of Mexican cuisine, from street tacos to home cooked dishes shared with relatives. The artwork makes you want to savor every bite right alongside her.
However, ¡Ay, Mija! also does not shy away from more serious and thought provoking topics. Suggs explores issues of identity, belonging, and family tension with honesty and care. One particularly moving subplot involves an aunt who lives in the United States without legal papers, unable to visit her family back home in Mexico. It is a subtle but powerful reminder of the realities many immigrant families face.
Overall, ¡Ay, Mija! is a touching, beautifully illustrated story that celebrates the richness of Mexican culture while exploring the complexities of family and identity. I highly recommend it for young readers, educators, and anyone interested in multicultural stories that bridge borders, both linguistic and emotional.
