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There are bigger things than the what, learning the why gives so much more context and knowledge to the story of everything. This is one of the parts that I thought was a great life lesson to take away, that most people (including me) don‘t think about all the time. Teaching students this in the classroom and setting the stage with this in mind from the get go will build a strong classroom environment.

I did not think would like this since it‘s a graphic novel, they are not my favorite read, but I enjoyed the book for what it was worth. The funny moments, familial aspect, showing history, and bringing attention to more political aspects all brought the book together and made it a fun, easy, and fast read.

Reading “Mexikid“ right after reading other graphic novels like “Baddawi“ and “Zahra‘s Paradise“ for another class really made me think about how different stories use visuals to explore identity and history. Unlike the heavier political themes in those books, “Mexikid“ feels more personal, but still carries a lot of emotional weight. It reminded me how graphic novels can capture these family and cultural experiences in a completely unique way.

Comics in the Classroom

Just wrapped a postcolonial lit class focused on comics, and I‘m more convinced than ever that comics have a powerful place in the classroom. They can be used to explore complex ideas like identity, culture, and resistance in an accessible way. Especially for postcolonial stories, the visual form gives voice to perspectives that are often marginalized. Some books I'd recommend reading are “Baddawi“ or “Guantanmo Kid“.

Martín's memoir is very relatable, especially for students navigating different cultural identities. The mix of humor and vulnerability makes the story so much more meaningful, while the visuals also add such emotional depth. It‘s a great way to explore underrepresented voices and encourage personal reflection. This text also invites students to reflect on their own stories while appreciating voices that have been underrepresented in literature.

Mexikid would be a fantastic scaffold for creative writing in the classroom. After reading the novel, I would have students create their own short visual novel (1-2 pgs.) that captures a meaningful moment or story from their own lives. It would be incredible to see each student‘s writing come to life through their own visual art. It‘s a powerful way to validate their voices and build confidence as both writers and artists.

Set in the late 1970s, this heartwarming graphic novel follows a young boy named Pedro and his family as they journey 2,000 miles to Mexico to bring their grandfather back to the U.S. The story blends humor, culture, and emotion, highlighting the dynamics between family members and Pedro‘s own journey of self-discovery. With its rich illustrations and compelling narrative, Mexikid is sure to keep you engaged from the first mile to the last.

During my college experience, I‘ve been assigned four visual novels. Honestly, in those cases, I found myself more drawn to the visuals than the actual stories. Mexikid, however, was a different experience entirely. I genuinely enjoyed both the artwork and storyline. The illustrations don‘t overpower the text; they enrich it. This book is a fantastic introduction to visual novels and a great starting point for anyone curious about the genre.

Forgot to post this last one for Mexikid. I guess I liked the pages where the words are the focal point the most, because I loved pg 238. This story is often lighthearted, but there are several meaningful themes mentioned, like the value of patience. Patience is something I struggle with (@ my car wreck, RIP Rhonda the Avalon), and I think I would have benefited from reading this when I was younger. It is cool to see a funny GN tackle deep topics.