Review By: Francesca Miesner
Published: 2023
Genres: Nonfiction, Graphic Novel, Memoir, Middle Grade/YA
Audience: Grades 7–9
Number of Stars: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Goodreads Link: Mexikid
Content Warnings: Alcohol mention, mentions of past revolution/war.
Publisher’s Summary
A poignant, hilarious, and unforgettable graphic memoir about a Mexican-American boy’s family and their adventure-filled road trip to bring their abuelito back from Mexico to live with them.
Pedro Martín has grown up hearing stories about his abuelito—his legendary crime-fighting, grandfather who was once a part of the Mexican Revolution! But that doesn’t mean Pedro is excited at the news that Abuelito is coming to live with their family. After all, Pedro has 8 brothers and sisters and the house is crowded enough! Still, Pedro piles into the Winnebago with his family for a road trip to Mexico to bring Abuelito home, and what follows is the trip of a lifetime, one filled with laughs and heartache. Along the way, Pedro finally connects with his abuelito and learns what it means to grow up and find his grito.
Review
Mexikid is a charming and touching story about a child who discovers what it means to grow up and learns more about his Mexican heritage. Pedro Martín writes the story of his family’s childhood trip to Mexico to bring his Abuelito to move in with them. He is reluctant at first, since his home was already so crowded with family, but over the course of his trip, he learns that family and his heritage are important.
This graphic novel is a memoir, both written and illustrated by Pedro Martín. The story is uplifting and humorous, despite some of the darker tones. The text was intriguing, inspiring, and informational. Students who read this will be immersed in an environment that they may not otherwise know anything about.
The illustrations are incredibly stylized and would capture the eye of any student. Throughout the story, the art style and coloring shift to highlight different emotions or display a different time period. Pedro is a character with a passion for superheroes; he sees the world around him and makes connections to the comic books he loves to read. Throughout the story, he finds inspiration in the world around him for his art. He uses art to connect to his Abuelito and the world.
Martín has several siblings, all of whom have varying personalities and influence him in different ways—he finds himself being protective over the younger ones while hoping to impress the older ones. His parents are eccentric, hilarious, and relatable, while Abuelito is stoic and intense, leading to incredible comedic timing.
🎨 Visual Storytelling: The Power of Style
In Mexikid, the art doesn’t just show what is happening; it explains how Pedro feels. This is a hallmark of high-quality graphic memoirs.
Why the Art Shifts:
- Flashbacks: When Abuelito tells stories of the Mexican Revolution, the art style shifts to reflect a grittier, more legendary tone.
- Superheroes: Pedro’s imagination often overlays comic book tropes onto his real-world experiences.
- Emotional Coloring: The palette changes based on the heat of the Mexican desert or the warmth of a family gathering.
🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections
- Spanish / Culture Classes: Use the book to explore Mexican geography and the history of the Mexican Revolution.
- ELA / Creative Writing: Have students create a 3-panel comic strip of a memory from a family vacation. Focus on using “visual metaphors” like Pedro does with his superhero references.
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Discuss “Identity.” What does it mean to be part of two cultures at once?
- The “Art as Bridge” Activity: Discuss how Pedro uses his drawing to communicate with his grandfather even when they have different life experiences.
