Mexikid by Pedro Martín

Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir

By Pedro Martín

Children’s Graphic Novel

Ages 10+, grades 5+

Summary

The year was 1977, Christmas break was approaching and Pedro Martín’s already-enormous family was preparing to welcome another member. Pedro, his parents, and eight brothers and sisters load up in an old Winnebago and a tandem pick-up truck and set off on an international roadtrip from Watsonville, California to Pegueros, Mexico to fetch their 85-year-old Abuelito (grandfather). From skipped roadside attractions, treasure hunting through K-Marts and Mexican mercados, an eventful border crossing, and visits with lots of extended and chosen family, the drive to the parents’ hometown is an adventure in itself. Once they arrive, Pedro realizes that his lineage is rich with history that he becomes eager to learn more about. In the process Pedro learns a great deal about himself, and eventually strikes a comfortable balance as an American-born Mexikid.

Justification

Graphic novels have not always been my cup of tea. I attempted popular works like Sandman and Watchmen without success, but eventually found redemptive footing with historical work like Persepolis and March, and fantasy series like Lore Olympus and Morgana and Oz. As a Newbery and Pura Belpre Honor book, I figured Mexikid held a lot of promise. Just from the cover bearing an illustrated collage of story mementos surrounding the main character, Pedro, and a Winnebago, Mexikid looked like a good time. Thankfully, I wasn’t wrong. My first thought upon picking it up from the library hold shelf was that it is an exceptionally hefty volume for a middle-grade book. Its over 300 pages are jam-packed with non-stop story and art which some might find overwhelming, but I thought it to be endlessly engaging, funny, and heartwarming.

Response

I devoured this book. Most of it was riotous, as the story includes many big personalities including that of the author, and is moved along from one lively account to the next of their comic mishaps along their journey down to Pegueros and back. It is interspersed with asides in which the reader learns about the defining characteristics and idiosyncratic traits of each family member, from sister Lila’s extreme intelligence to their Amá’s tendency to break bananas in half, thus giving us a genuine glimpse into what day-to-day life was like living among the 11 of them. It is full of family lore dating back to the Mexican Revolution, and Martín showcases his adaptable abilities as an artist by illustrating those segments in an entirely different style from the rest of the book. Woven in with the humorous tales and poop and snot jokes appropriate for a 10-year-old protagonist are bits of lovely explanation and appreciation of Mexican culture, as well as moments of sweet, thoughtful, sometimes even somber realization through which young Pedro begins to come of age. I found it just as enjoyable as some adult books of a similar genre, and could see it being a fun read together with a younger reader as some dated pop culture references may benefit from explanation (cassette players and the Fonz from Happy Days, for instance). I find myself genuinely excited for the day my son is old enough to enjoy this book, and that’s one of the biggest compliments I can offer.

Martín, P. (2023). Mexikid. Dial Books for Young Readers.