Halfway to Somewhere

Gr 5 Up–Moving to Kansas from Mexicali with one’s mother and brother would be hard on anyone, but Ave also has to leave their sister and father behind since their parents have decided to separate. Their brother fits into their new environment effortlessly, but Ave resists the changes and is confused about the altered family dynamic. Trying to navigate a new town where no one speaks their language overwhelms Ave; they miss where they grew up, and their sister is warning them not to assimilate the way their brother seems to be. Is it bad if Ave learns English and makes the best of their situation? Pimienta’s newest graphic novel illustrates the difficulty of moving away from home and how that is compounded when there is a language barrier and parents who are not entirely forthright. Pimienta conscientiously sprinkles in examples of machismo culture and a superiority belief, such as Ave’s sister dismissing Chicanos as not being “real” Mexicans. Pimienta’s hand-drawn landscape art captures the beauty of the Mexicali region, and the Kansas environment blends beautifully with the digital coloring of the bright neighborhood that Ave explores. The simple linear paneling and use of different colored fonts to distinguish between Spanish or English speakers make this an excellent graphic.