Migrant: The Journey of a Mexican Worker

by José Manuel Mateo, Javier Martínez Pedro (Illustrations), Emmy Smith Ready (Translator)

A Mexican boy tells of his journey to the U.S. with his family. They must face many dangers to cross the border, only to experience the uncertainty felt by all illegal immigrants. The narrative is accompanied by one long, beautifully vivid illustration reminis­cent of pre-Hispanic codices, packaged as an accordion-style foldout frieze.

Praise for Migrant
STARRED REVIEW
"Content and design coalesce in a handsome presentation that invites readers to decode intriguing images in a pastoral setting suggestive of folklore—and in the process, arouses empathy for the all-too-real risks surrounding migrants... Breathtaking."
--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Genres: Picture Books, Spanish Literature, Cultural, Art, Latinx, Middle Grade, Childrens

22 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly one-of-a-kind work of art in pictures and words. It's an accordion fold-out book (English on one side/Spanish on the other) that uses an ancient codex form to tell the story of a contemporary family's perilous migration from Mexico to Los Angeles. Pedro's illustrations are incredibly intricate and endlessly fascinating. Mateo's words are simple, poetic and deeply felt. The author's and artist's notes provide context to the style of art and the plight of today's Mexican migrants. Originally published in Spanish, I applaud Abrams Books for bringing this title to an English speaking audience.

[Angelina · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. An important book and a very interesting presentation, but the story for me lacks emotion and is too mellow and restrained. Even though more explanation is given in the note an the end, it isn't enough to leave a lasting impression.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Migrant is the diary-like narration of a boy making the trip from rural Mexico to Los Angeles. The first person narration is really affecting, because it really gives the perspective of a confused by perceptive little kid. The unnamed boy doesn't quite understand what's happening, but he gets that some parts of this journey are really serious. In the author & illustrator's note they write that the book is intended to honor the lives of hundreds of thousands of nameless children who have made the migration, successfully or not. I don't think we can have enough of these types of stories.

Perhaps the most awesome part of this book is that it's a codex, a single image depicting the entire journey accordion folded into a book, reflecting centuries-old Mesoamerican recording traditions. I absolutely love the illustration. The first time I read it, I flipped the sections one at a time. The second time I sprawled out on the floor with the entire thing folded out. It's definitely an engrossing image.

This book is an awesome addition to any library collection, and I'm SO BUMMED we only have one copy! The book is presented in English and Spanish (two sides of the same codex), which presents some challenges about how to catalog it/where it belongs in the library. MPL has it in intermediate fiction in the Spanish language section, but I kind of wish we had one copy for the English section too. Basically I think we should have like 50 more copies, but it might be kind of a challenge for kids to read and I'm guessing it's more expensive than the typical glue-bound paperbacks. Still! More!

Update: There are three copies in the system now! Which is better than one, but still! More! Also one of them is reference use, which I assume is because the book is special + fragile.

[David Areyzaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conocer la editorial Tecolote fue una de las sorpresas más gratas de este año. Sus libros son verdaderas artesanías con mensajes importantes para el público mexicano. En este caso, Migrar de José Manuel Mateo es un recordatorio de lo que viven los niños que deben migrar a Estados Unidos. Nadie elige dónde nace y si bien muchos aquí nos hemos sacado la lotería social, debemos recordar a los que viven circunstancias diferentes y verlos con empatía. Este nivel de compromiso y creatividad hacen de este libro una obra de arte para coleccionistas así como un instrumento de reflexión cuando nos rodea una profunda falta de compasión, sobre todo en redes sociales.

[Lin Lin]

A Mexican boy shares his experiences of migrating with his mother and sister to the United States where his father works. Undocumented, he and his stories help us understand there should be no illegal "human beings". This story comes to us in the form of the pre-Hispanic codex, which has the text next to an image painted over several folded pages like an accordion. Love this book, and believe children would love it too, particularly those who are bilingual in English and Spanish.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Migrant by Jose Manuel Mateo and illustrated by Javier Martinez Pedro made my jaw drop. The unusual format - a codex that folds out accordion style with intricate illustration really captured my attention. I got lost in the details of the illustration. Beyond that, the story of a migrant family facing the dangers of leaving their small village to cross into the U.S. gripped me even with so few words. I am not sure that libraries are going to buy it given the unusual format, but it will be on the shelf at my school. I found a wonderful review of it at Hyperallergic http://hyperallergic.com/173686/a-con... if you want to see the full illustration and know more about the book.

This would be great paired with Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a marvelous book, written in a a codex that folds out accordion style with intricate black and white illustrations filled with people and the actions of the story told, rather briefly in small paragraphs to the left. It’s the story of a migrant family, a mother and two children who the dangers of leaving their small village to cross into the U.S.
The author expresses a need to empower the many children, estimated 50,000, who cross each year, sometimes even alone. And as the words also tell us, some never make it, simply disappear. No one is speaking for these children, who don’t even have the power to know their birth date, to ask for documentation from their home county. The book was written to speak for them.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy describes the dangers faced as he and his family travel from Mexico to the United States. The text appears on the left-hand side alongside a codex that unfolds in an accordion-like style. This is an impressive book that spells out the complexity of the immigration experience.

[Donalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning book that combines ancient codex storytelling images with a contemporary immigration story.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abrams continues to offer outstanding children's literature in unusual formats, this is no exception.
First published in Spanish in Mexico, it is now available in the same form in English and Spanish.

A boy describes his family's life of sharecropping on a farm in Mexico until his father leaves the family behind, with no means of financial support. The boy, his mother, and his sister make the dangerous trip north, across the border to Los Angeles, where they settle in and begin a new life.

Mateo tells this story as if dictated by the boy. It is in short, punctuated chunks detailing the events. There is little emotion, detail, or description, merely the actions the family take and why. Illustrations by Javier Martínez Pedro are rendered in black and white and printed as one long continuous illustration. (The book was published in an accordion-folded codex form. One can hold the front cover in the air and let it unfold to see the four-foot long illustration in its entirety.) It is intricate and detailed. Readers will want to pour over it to look for the story's action and how many other people are in the same boat as these migrants.

Amazing to experience, as it is best enjoyed on a personal basis - and not as a group. This would be excellent supplementary material for a unit on immigration.

Highly Recommended for grades 3-8.

[madziar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niezwykła rozkładana książka, do której ilustracje wykonano na tradycyjnym meksykańskim papierze amate (specyficznym płótnie roślinnym). Nagromadzenie szczegółów (postaci i roślinności) opatrzone jest krótkim komentarzem, w którym zawarto historię małego chłopca, który wraz z siostrą i mamą opuszczają ukochany dom, w którym po podwórku biegają koguty i świnie, a dookoła rosną arbuzy, papaje i palmy. Wioska powoli pustoszeje, a pewnego dnia także chłopiec wsiada ze swoją rodziną do pociągu, nie rozumie, gdzie jedzie i dlaczego, czuje tylko atmosferę strachu i widzi, że niektórzy znikają już na zawsze. Docierają do bardzo zatłoczonego miejsca gdzieś w środku Los Angeles - tutaj wszystko jest betonowe i wysokie, muszą sprzątać domy i być za to wdzięczni, ale nic nie jest w stanie zagłuszyć przejmującej tęsknoty za domem małego dziecka.
Książka polecana przez Polskie Forum Migracyjne.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This project, story and artwork, is to highlight the number of children who are migrating and the particular challenges that arise for them beyond the dangers of the journey.

A short story of a migration to Los Angeles, told from a young boys perspective, set against a stunning illustration. There are so many tiny details in the illustration; it is a joy to explore how it matches the story.

All this, and it is bound as a traditional codex! The entire book is printed on a single long page, accordion folded! One side in the original Spanish, the other an English translation. It is a lovely bit of book artistry as well!

[Albany High Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young Mexican boy’s difficult immigration story unfolds dramatically, stretching out in the traditional pre-Hispanic codex format. Leaving his small village in search of his father and work, his journey is full of dangers. The complex, striking artwork is one continuously evolving scene following the boy’s journey. The result is a story full of humanity and empathy, embraced in a traditional format.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated picture book done in one long accordion-style black and white foldout illustration, telling the sad and compelling story of a migrant boy and his family as they leave Mexico for a new life in California due to hardship and unfortunate circumstance. Unusual but fascinating format for a children's book, with extreme attention to detail in the depiction of the family's story.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that will be easy to integrate into a number of my college-level children's literature courses due to its remarkably unique accordion one-page, poster size presentation of the story and its visually and textually moving narrative of a young boy migrating from Mexico to the US.

[Jake Cotto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cool book! Written in codex form! I can't wait to incorporate this book into my classroom next year! It's going to be very interesting to see what students think about the story and form of this text.

[Ana Ruiz-Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published in 2011, this fiction story is about a young boy and his difficult journey crossing the border with his family. Portraying the realities of immigration with such detailed illustrations, this would be a very interesting book to add to a set of immigration stories.

[Heatherhelmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a story about a Mexican boy who travels to the U.S. with his family. The family has to overcome many dangers to get across the border. Upon arrival, they are not welcomed. This book is great for discussing immigration.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this is a great book to have a conversation about immigration and the people themselves. With the struggles that are outlined in the book, there are some students who might feel a connection with this book.

[Laura Briceño · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente libro, su presentación es innovadora. La manera en que el autor se pone en el papel de un niño en estado de migración es tan sincera y pura, como lo es un niño y el dolor que siente al verse obligado a dejar lo que ama, su hogar.

[Mrs. Lynch Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning artwork in a powerful story of a young boy. The story is read from top to bottom and the book unfolds in an accordion fold. Truly a work of art.

[Karyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The make of the book is very interesting - based on the form for ancient texts in Mesoamerica, accordion folded.

[Anaïs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantàstic!!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful story beautifully delivered.

[Filipa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book, a short tale of displacement.

[Janine Darragh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique and beautiful format, this book tells the story of one child's journey from Mexico to California. Brief in words but rich in illustrations, this book is most likely best suited for upper elementary. The author's and illustrator's note in the back provides information on the artistic format as well as statistics regarding immigrant children.

[Rosanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not just a "book" but an amazing piece of art. It takes you into the mindset of a Mexican leaving them hometown. How scary this transition can be for them, sometimes losing their family along the way. I'm actually debating purchasing this one for the art itself. It's remarkable.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by Jose Manual Mateo and Javier Martinez Pedro

"A Mexican boy tells of his journey to the U.S. with his family. They must face many dangers to cross the border, only to experience the uncertainty felt by all illegal immigrants. The narrative is accompanied by one long, beautifully vivid illustration reminis­cent of pre-Hispanic codices, packaged as an accordion-style foldout frieze." Amazon
"Unfolding like an accordion revealing one long, vertical image, Migrant presents a childlike drawing, in charcoal blacks and grays, of numerous minute figures, trees, trains, and houses. An author’s note explains the construction of the book (codex) and the unique style of drawing and imagery (amate) before discoursing on the human-rights issues that drive the story. The nine-fold image itself moves from crowded village life through a harrowing train journey to a modern cityscape, all the while accompanied on the left-hand side by the relatively brief but affecting story of a young boy who must leave his small farming village and migrate illegally to Los Angeles. Once there, he, along with his mother and his sisters, finds work, but he still must search for the father who preceded them. A striking, thoughtful, and empathetic look at a difficult and very relevant political issue, Migrant will make an excellent starting point for possible classroom discussions. On the reverse of the English version, the same image is accompanied by a solid, straightforward Spanish translation. Grades 2-5. --Jesse Karp" Booklist
Library Use: The author's note and artist's note gives insight into the unique format of the book. It would be interesting to use as an introduction to writing and books.
Themes: emigration and immigration fiction, families/Mexico fiction, migrant labor fiction/ spanish language books fiction, Mexico fiction
Awards: Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2014, Picture Books; Winner, IRA Notable Books for a Global Society, 2015; 2015 CLA Notable Children’s Books in the English Language Arts

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A boy from Mexico talks about the changes in his family and his village as people leave Mexico to find work in the United States. The story begins with the boy speaking about his village and how it used to be as a farming community with small farms where he would play. But then things changed and soon the village was just women and children with all of the men gone to find work elsewhere. When his mother was unable to find work in the village and his father’s money stopped arriving, the had no choice but to leave too. The story changes to one of escape, hiding and running, one that mirrors that boy’s games as a small child, but they are no longer fun here. The family makes it safely to Los Angeles, but there are new barriers in the way with the new country.

Told in a unique vertical format that echoes the ancient codex, this book uses its format to great effect. First, it mirrors the sense of a journey across distances, across cultures. Just opening this book feel different and special and then the length of the single page captures that sense of travel and quest. The voice of the book is also exquisitely done. The boy looking back on his childhood, seeing the changes and then the contrast of his childhood with the frightening present is filled with a taut tension that never goes away.

Even as I gush about the writing, I can’t say enough about the art. Done in a single pane that continues through the entire vertical book, it shows the village, the train that allows their escape, and finally LA. The art has an ancient feel to it, filled with tiny details, many people, plants, houses, and more. It’s a tribute to the history of Mexico, the thousands of people who cross the border, and the beauty of their courage.

Unique and incredibly lovely, this book is one that won’t work in public libraries due to the format. But it’s one that is worth celebrating despite that limitation. Get this in special collections! Appropriate for ages 7-10.

[Merissa Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being able to take the book apart accordion style along with the elongated picture is an attention grabber in itself. The format and style of the text is interesting for readers as well because it is read as a young boys thoughts or journal entries, which makes it more personal for the readers. This book is about a young boy’s journey with his mother and siblings to America to find work and his father who left the family to find work. When they cross the border, they face dangerous situations such as running to jump onto a train and hiding/running from the police. In the end the young boy and his family find a place to live and their future looks promising. This book allows readers to formulate their own perspective of the culture as well as teaches readers a little bit about the Mexican culture. In all, this is a wonderful book, although some young readers may find it hard to understand or connect to because the length of the book is so short and the pictures are all compiled into one larger picture. This book is not a regular book that readers would pull off the shelf although, I would highly recommend it because of the first hand experiences that the young boy discusses throughout the book.