June 1, 2020
Grades 2-5 Aldama's contemporary, dark fairy tale introduces Charlie, who, fond of adventure and seeking friends, is like any other 10-year-old in Mexico?except that he's a Chupacabra, a mythical cryptid often feared by people. Charlie, through his familiar name, mannerisms, and motivations, is humanized, happily living with his mam� and pap� out of reach of the Humans. The setting of a seemingly apocalyptic Mexico, estranged by a foreboding Wall and the suffering of crying children in cages, certainly lends a political tone, though the plot itself reads like a classic folktale. Escobar's hauntingly surrealistic ink-and-watercolor illustrations carry readers along as Charlie searches for a purposeful quest and for acceptance. As he seeks a friend in unfriendly times, readers learn that children of all backgrounds?creature and Human alike?are the same inside, an idea that transcends societal boundaries and promotes world peace. The text is interspersed with Spanish vocabulary, defined in a back-matter glossary that is followed by a note about Mexican and Latinx legends.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)
April 15, 2020
A chupacabra and its human friend look for adventures on the borderland. Charlie is a 10-year-old chupacabra, a monster from "made-up human stories." Except Charlie is real. Charlie and family live on the border close to "the land they call Estados Unidos," but Charlie has never seen over The Wall. One night, thirsty for adventures, Charlie sneaks out and searches for a friend. Soon, Charlie meets Lupe, a human girl who joins the search for adventures. As they reach The Wall and try to scale it, the duo realizes they'll need help to cross over. After The Wall helps them--it turns out it is sentient--they are tasked with a mission: rescuing the ni�os who are lost on the other side and held captive by Big People in Green. The adventure Charlie and Lupe embark on is a timely and courageous one as it addresses the migration crisis on the border and the imprisonment of children. Gaunt-looking humans fill the pages, with contrasting kind-looking and nonthreatening (but still monstrous) chupacabras that flip the idea of what is a threat. However, the illustrations at times seem to defeat the purpose, as they are filled with Mexican stereotypes of congested city streets and thick-mustachioed men, like El Se�or Big Bigote. Spanish words in the text are italicized and easily understood through context clues and immediate translation. Timely yet skippable. (note, glossary) (Picture book. 4-9)
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