Consider yourself warned: we are going back to ancient times with this week’s featured books. Well, at least to life in the world before the Internet. Mexikid is a graphic novel memoir that is a nostalgic road trip through the 1970s. Simon Sort of Says is set in a time where the internet exists, but Simon and his family move to a place where the internet is banned.
Poignant. Funny. Perfect for middle-grade readers. You’ll find those words in the reviews for both books.
Book covers link to Goodreads so you can put these on your TBR if interested.
MIDDLE-GRADE FICTION
Simon O’Keeffe’s biggest claim to fame should be the time his dad accidentally gave a squirrel a holy sacrament. Or maybe the alpaca disaster that went viral on YouTube. But the story the whole world wants to tell about Simon is the one he’d do anything to forget: the story in which he’s the only kid in his class who survived a school shooting.
Fast-forward two years. Simon (12) and his family move to the National Quiet Zone, a place where astronomers who flock to the area are busy listening for signs of life in space. And when Simon makes a friend who’s determined to give the scientists what they’re looking for, he’ll finally have the chance to spin a new story for the world to tell.
Amy @ Goodreads – This one was so good! This book has an amazing ability to balance humor and wit with the seriousness of processing trauma and PTSD. There are crazed squirrels, a peacock that is willing to mate with anything, and Simon’s family lives in a funeral home since his mom is a mortician. Simon makes new friends, helps train a service dog (Hercules), and plots to prank (nicely??) the scientists in town. There are gross facts, silly situations, and really serious discussions about what it means to survive. This was impeccably done!
Susan, Bloggin’ Bout Books @ Goodread – I adored Simon Sort of Says! Even though it’s about trauma in the aftermath of a school shooting, the story is—for the most part—zany and hilarious. I read several passages out loud to my husband and we BOTH laughed out loud. Obviously, the book’s not all lighthearted, but Bow manages to balance the serious with the funny in a way that is perfect for a middle-grade audience. The novel’s overall tone is upbeat and optimistic, promising that things really can be okay even in the wake of terrible events and experiences.
ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE-GRADE GRAPHIC NOVEL
Pedro Martín has grown up hearing stories about his abuelito—his legendary crime-fighting grandfather who was part of the Mexican Revolution! But that doesn't mean Pedro is excited. Abuelito is coming to live with their family which is already crowded enough with Pedro's 8 brothers and sisters!
The road trip to Mexico to pick up his abuelito turns out to be the trip of a lifetime, 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.
Maureen @ Stories That Stay With Us – here’s a lot to like about Mexikid. The illustrations: energetic and boldly coloured, largely in comic-style but also in realistic, swirling watercolours. The characters: engaging, relatable and so well-developed that even though there are so many of them, you don’t ever feel lost or confused. As a kid, I used to watch a tv show called The Waltons and it made me wish I came from a big, rambunctious, bickering, jostling family. Mexikid made me feel the same way, all over again. A lively and engrossing read that will appeal to middle graders, in particular boys obsessed with superheroes, imaginary or real.
Vulpixbookpix @ Bookish Things – Pedro Martín has written a hilarious graphic novel memoir that is great for young and old audiences. This was a hilarious memoir with lots of notes on Mexican culture to help introduce people who don’t know anything about the history. Pedro’s family reminds me of my own and, I’m sure, that feeling will be the same for anybody who grew up in a large family. There’s lots of funny moments, while also containing some poignant ones as the life of Pedro’s Abuelito is unfolded before him.