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Mexikid
Mexikid Dreams: A Graphic Memoir
In this extraordinary graphic memoir companion to Newbery Honor winner Mexikid, hilarious family hijinks, immigration patrols, and musical daydreams shape a year of growth and change for a Mexican-American boy and his family.
Pedro Martín is sick of strawberries. Since he was seven, he’s spent every weekend and summer picking berries with his family under the hot sun. Sometimes it’s not so bad—Pedro’s an ace at “strawberry wars” with his siblings, and when a good song comes on the radio, the fields can come alive with music. But mostly, Pedro wishes he could just stay home watching Saturday cartoons, head to the beach like other kids, and not worry about immigration patrols. When his older brother gets a job away from the farm, freedom suddenly seems within arm’s Pedro just has to prove to his dad that he’s ready to follow a different path! Maybe he can be a trombone player, or a cartoonist—if that’s even a real job. But as Pedro learns more about his parents’ and abuelito’s past, and the choices they made in order to open up more choices for him, he starts to understand that freedom isn’t just about leaving the fields—it’s about knowing where you came from and having the courage to draw your own life.
Pedro Martín is sick of strawberries. Since he was seven, he’s spent every weekend and summer picking berries with his family under the hot sun. Sometimes it’s not so bad—Pedro’s an ace at “strawberry wars” with his siblings, and when a good song comes on the radio, the fields can come alive with music. But mostly, Pedro wishes he could just stay home watching Saturday cartoons, head to the beach like other kids, and not worry about immigration patrols. When his older brother gets a job away from the farm, freedom suddenly seems within arm’s Pedro just has to prove to his dad that he’s ready to follow a different path! Maybe he can be a trombone player, or a cartoonist—if that’s even a real job. But as Pedro learns more about his parents’ and abuelito’s past, and the choices they made in order to open up more choices for him, he starts to understand that freedom isn’t just about leaving the fields—it’s about knowing where you came from and having the courage to draw your own life.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
September 19, 2026
Sep 18 -- Well, this new review page format just surprised all thoughts right out of my head. I'll be back asap with my review.
Sep 21 -- Mexikid Dreams shows what the word 'family' means. And hard honest work done by people who may not always enjoy it but are not afraid of it. And the power of dreams, 'American' or any type at all.
This is a companion book to the author's Mexikid, only here instead of going to Mexico to fetch Abuelo we learn about working in strawberry fields......forever. The older kids understand why they are there, but the younger ones (like the author) just want to live like the Other Kids do.
Pedro grows up a lot in this book and I thought the entire story was wonderful. I wish it was required reading.
I will echo what the author says at one point. The next time you enjoy strawberries, think for just a few minutes about what it took to get those berries from the field to your table. And send some gratitude and a thumbs up to everyone out there doing the grunt work for you.
Sep 21 -- Mexikid Dreams shows what the word 'family' means. And hard honest work done by people who may not always enjoy it but are not afraid of it. And the power of dreams, 'American' or any type at all.
This is a companion book to the author's Mexikid, only here instead of going to Mexico to fetch Abuelo we learn about working in strawberry fields......forever. The older kids understand why they are there, but the younger ones (like the author) just want to live like the Other Kids do.
Pedro grows up a lot in this book and I thought the entire story was wonderful. I wish it was required reading.
I will echo what the author says at one point. The next time you enjoy strawberries, think for just a few minutes about what it took to get those berries from the field to your table. And send some gratitude and a thumbs up to everyone out there doing the grunt work for you.
September 19, 2026
Being a follow-up to Martin’s outstanding graphic novel/memoir, it takes place over a year after the events of that story where it again sees him growing up in his large Hispanic family.
“Dreams” primarily centers on him and his family, along with his grandfather now, spending their long summers working as sharecroppers in large strawberry fields picking and tending. Pedro has grown to resent the grueling work as he and his siblings have been made to forfeit their summertime to help their father since they were little, even despite each earning a little money for their work. However, Pedro is given an opportunity to find something that he’s very passionate and serious about if he really wants to stop working the strawberry fields though he will learn about just how important the choices we make play a huge part in everyone’s lives.
In short, “Dreams” brings everything found from the previous entry from the humor to the artwork and lessons which it presents so perfectly. In my opinion, it also carries a more emotional and reflective tone as well as we also learn about Martin’s father’s struggles of immigrating to America and finding a new life. Martin also discusses some serious issues such as the lives of Mexican immigrants during the mid-20th century and the dangers and treatment they faced. It does conclude with a sad but emotional note that’s still heartwarming.
Another breathtaking life story that shows dreams can start off and grow big like a small strawberry seed.
A (100%/Outstanding)
“Dreams” primarily centers on him and his family, along with his grandfather now, spending their long summers working as sharecroppers in large strawberry fields picking and tending. Pedro has grown to resent the grueling work as he and his siblings have been made to forfeit their summertime to help their father since they were little, even despite each earning a little money for their work. However, Pedro is given an opportunity to find something that he’s very passionate and serious about if he really wants to stop working the strawberry fields though he will learn about just how important the choices we make play a huge part in everyone’s lives.
In short, “Dreams” brings everything found from the previous entry from the humor to the artwork and lessons which it presents so perfectly. In my opinion, it also carries a more emotional and reflective tone as well as we also learn about Martin’s father’s struggles of immigrating to America and finding a new life. Martin also discusses some serious issues such as the lives of Mexican immigrants during the mid-20th century and the dangers and treatment they faced. It does conclude with a sad but emotional note that’s still heartwarming.
Another breathtaking life story that shows dreams can start off and grow big like a small strawberry seed.
A (100%/Outstanding)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mexikid has long been the most popular graphic novel in my middle school classroom library -- and it's probably the first graphic novel I have laughed through as much as my students. Students who read it as sixth graders are now in my eighth-grade classes, so they will be high school freshmen by the time Mexikid Dreams is released. Even so, they have all told me they don't care that they won't be able to read it in my room because they will just buy it for themselves.
Mexikid Dreams picks up shortly after Mexikid ends and is every bit as satisfying. It has its share of disgusting escapades (outhouse adventures, nauseating cures for the mumps, and more), but the family bond draws you in just as much as the humor. Pedro's life isn't easy -- after an earthquake destroys the family restaurant, they relocate to pick strawberries as sharecroppers -- but it's also a testament to the power of dreams. Pedro develops new musical talents to go with his drawing skills, but we also see the drive and determination of his siblings, his parents, and the pickers employed by his father. The family's faith is also highlighted during a loss and is a big part of how their dreams play out.
Once again, Pedro Martin has crafted the perfect graphic novel. Yes, my students will pick up some more Spanish and learn about the history of fruit picking in California, but, most of all, they will be entertained as they laugh and cringe along with Pedro and his 8 siblings. Highly recommended for all middle school classrooms -- I've already pre-ordered it for my Christian school library with no content concerns.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Mexikid Dreams picks up shortly after Mexikid ends and is every bit as satisfying. It has its share of disgusting escapades (outhouse adventures, nauseating cures for the mumps, and more), but the family bond draws you in just as much as the humor. Pedro's life isn't easy -- after an earthquake destroys the family restaurant, they relocate to pick strawberries as sharecroppers -- but it's also a testament to the power of dreams. Pedro develops new musical talents to go with his drawing skills, but we also see the drive and determination of his siblings, his parents, and the pickers employed by his father. The family's faith is also highlighted during a loss and is a big part of how their dreams play out.
Once again, Pedro Martin has crafted the perfect graphic novel. Yes, my students will pick up some more Spanish and learn about the history of fruit picking in California, but, most of all, they will be entertained as they laugh and cringe along with Pedro and his 8 siblings. Highly recommended for all middle school classrooms -- I've already pre-ordered it for my Christian school library with no content concerns.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 8, 2026
Thanks to @PenguinKids for a free copy of these books!
Mexikid has been on my radar for years - especially after my older kiddo brought home a custom drawing from the author from the @sabookfestival !
I started with his newest book Mexikid Dreams, a memoir graphic novel of a year in his life working with his family as sharecroppers in the strawberry fields of Watsonville, CA in 1979. The book mixes his experiences with pop-out pages featuring info about necessary gear for farmworkers (radios near the top of the list!), the history of sharecropping, and la Migra.
While Pedro yearns for the life of a normal kid, he begins to see the dangers that face Mexican American citizens and Mexican immigrants in the US - from la Migra's roundups to poverty to the prison system, he sees a greater appreciation for his family's sacrifices, even while he still yearns for cartoons and days off.
One of the most poignant scenes was when his band visits a local prison and runs into items being confiscated by the guards, discrimination and stereotyping by those guards, and a man letting out a grito in joy being tackled to the ground. Pedro dreams that he plays his trombone loud enough to get everyone free, but, it's just a dream. This scene is heartbreaking and revelatory.
This book is beautifully illustrated and full of heart. Despite its serious topics, it's also full of laughs and lightheartedness to keep things balanced. Be prepared to laugh and cry! This is perfect for middle graders through adults - we can all learn from these stories?
Mexikid has been on my radar for years - especially after my older kiddo brought home a custom drawing from the author from the @sabookfestival !
I started with his newest book Mexikid Dreams, a memoir graphic novel of a year in his life working with his family as sharecroppers in the strawberry fields of Watsonville, CA in 1979. The book mixes his experiences with pop-out pages featuring info about necessary gear for farmworkers (radios near the top of the list!), the history of sharecropping, and la Migra.
While Pedro yearns for the life of a normal kid, he begins to see the dangers that face Mexican American citizens and Mexican immigrants in the US - from la Migra's roundups to poverty to the prison system, he sees a greater appreciation for his family's sacrifices, even while he still yearns for cartoons and days off.
One of the most poignant scenes was when his band visits a local prison and runs into items being confiscated by the guards, discrimination and stereotyping by those guards, and a man letting out a grito in joy being tackled to the ground. Pedro dreams that he plays his trombone loud enough to get everyone free, but, it's just a dream. This scene is heartbreaking and revelatory.
This book is beautifully illustrated and full of heart. Despite its serious topics, it's also full of laughs and lightheartedness to keep things balanced. Be prepared to laugh and cry! This is perfect for middle graders through adults - we can all learn from these stories?
September 10, 2026
Pedro can smell the ocean from the strawberry fields, but he can’t go there, because he has to work. It was not always this way. Once his family didn’t pick strawberries. But after the Sylmar earthquake destroyed his house and family restaurant, his family had to find a way to earn a living, and they ended up sharecropping a strawberry field.
But Pedro knew that there was another world. A world, just north of Watsonville, in Santa Cruz, where the kids had golden hair, and were tan, and rode surfboards and skateboards. He longed to be part of that world.
This is the story of how Pedro got out of the strawberry fields. It is funny and sad and heartfelt. It is the story of a family trying to drag themselves out of poverty, one strawberry at a time.
Sweet story. Funny at times, as he pictures the singers coming out of his radio, as being in the fields with him, including Dead Elvis, as he refers to him.
You don’t have to have read the first book. This is a good stand alone story, but it helps if you get curious about his family and where they all came from.
But Pedro knew that there was another world. A world, just north of Watsonville, in Santa Cruz, where the kids had golden hair, and were tan, and rode surfboards and skateboards. He longed to be part of that world.
This is the story of how Pedro got out of the strawberry fields. It is funny and sad and heartfelt. It is the story of a family trying to drag themselves out of poverty, one strawberry at a time.
Sweet story. Funny at times, as he pictures the singers coming out of his radio, as being in the fields with him, including Dead Elvis, as he refers to him.
You don’t have to have read the first book. This is a good stand alone story, but it helps if you get curious about his family and where they all came from.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This follow-up to Mexikid, which is just as funny and heartfelt as its prequel, focuses on the annual summer plight of young Pedro and his many siblings: picking strawberries to help keep costs low for their sharecropper dad.
Having his kids work for him means Mr. Martín doesn’t have to pay as many workers. But the work is miserable: tiring, dirty, and boring, and the only toilet is the dreaded, smelly outhouse nearby. Even worse, occasionally la migra show up, sending workers scattering in fear. (Pedro’s family members who were born in Mexico are documented.) For “fun,” Pedro and his sibs listen to music on their personal radios and occasionally fling strawberries at one another. Pedro longs to be like “the other kids,” who have nice, even tans (instead of the ombre situation he has going on), visit the beach, and otherwise enjoy their summer vacations.
When one of his older brothers gets out of picking by presenting their dad with an alternative plan (getting a job at a lumber mill as a first step toward his dream of being an architect), Pedro becomes determined to come up with his own plan, one good enough to get him out of strawberry picking.
The writing is laugh-out-loud hilarious, but the storyline is also really touching. As more of his siblings come up with plans to leave sharecropping, Pedro starts to feel bad about how much harder and more expensive it is for their dad. But it turns out their dad has been feeling bad, too, about his kids not having a real summer to just be kids. Something has to change.
I absolutely loved this and would read endless stories about Pedro and his family. The book concludes with concise updates on each of the family members: what they ended up doing for a career, etc.
Having his kids work for him means Mr. Martín doesn’t have to pay as many workers. But the work is miserable: tiring, dirty, and boring, and the only toilet is the dreaded, smelly outhouse nearby. Even worse, occasionally la migra show up, sending workers scattering in fear. (Pedro’s family members who were born in Mexico are documented.) For “fun,” Pedro and his sibs listen to music on their personal radios and occasionally fling strawberries at one another. Pedro longs to be like “the other kids,” who have nice, even tans (instead of the ombre situation he has going on), visit the beach, and otherwise enjoy their summer vacations.
When one of his older brothers gets out of picking by presenting their dad with an alternative plan (getting a job at a lumber mill as a first step toward his dream of being an architect), Pedro becomes determined to come up with his own plan, one good enough to get him out of strawberry picking.
The writing is laugh-out-loud hilarious, but the storyline is also really touching. As more of his siblings come up with plans to leave sharecropping, Pedro starts to feel bad about how much harder and more expensive it is for their dad. But it turns out their dad has been feeling bad, too, about his kids not having a real summer to just be kids. Something has to change.
I absolutely loved this and would read endless stories about Pedro and his family. The book concludes with concise updates on each of the family members: what they ended up doing for a career, etc.
August 16, 2026
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5⭐️ - this was such a fantastic sequel to Mexikid. There were parts that made me laugh out loud. My 14 year old daughter also really loved it!
4.5⭐️ - this was such a fantastic sequel to Mexikid. There were parts that made me laugh out loud. My 14 year old daughter also really loved it!
September 15, 2026
Mexikid Dreams is the second part of Pedro Martín’s graphic memoir. And it’s just as warm, wacky and wonderful as Mexikid.
Mexikid Dreams documents the lives of a family of Mexican of immigrants and their Mexican-American kids living in the USA in the 70s.
After the family’s restaurant is destroyed in an Earthquake in 1971, they must diversify. They move 300 miles north to Watsonville, Ca. where they will work a subdivision of a strawberry field for a living. Life as a ‘share-cropping’ family is hard and relentless.
Mexikid Dreams is nostalgic without washing over the hardship, and there’s also so much humour and warmth- you really feel the love of the family and the respect for the elders’ struggles and sacrifices.
I really enjoyed and valued the detailed information that Martín has woven into the retelling, which really shows a real slice-of-life in the fields. We learn about everything from the daily routine of a picker and their lo-tech equipment to the shady history of sharecropping and the landowners’ corrupt practices.
As in the first book, the large family cast is brilliantly depicted, capturing the idiosyncracies of each family member, and some hilarious interactions between them. I love the schemes and scrapes the kids are involved in- Martín delights in recounting them in all their surreal glory! I love the complexity of Apá. A man desperately trying to make a better life for his kids, who is also a kid at heart; the first to throw the strawberry that starts a battle but also under the stress to make ends meet. Amá who keeps the household running and makes the most of everything. Although, I’m not sure I want to give her natural remedies a go! I also love the cameos of abuelito (who you will definitely remember from book 1 👀) who has an almost otherworldly presence and wisdom.
The photos at the end are a brilliant way to end. I was so happy, & moved, to see the real faces of the Martín family after reading about their adventures together.
Loved it.
Mexikid Dreams documents the lives of a family of Mexican of immigrants and their Mexican-American kids living in the USA in the 70s.
After the family’s restaurant is destroyed in an Earthquake in 1971, they must diversify. They move 300 miles north to Watsonville, Ca. where they will work a subdivision of a strawberry field for a living. Life as a ‘share-cropping’ family is hard and relentless.
Mexikid Dreams is nostalgic without washing over the hardship, and there’s also so much humour and warmth- you really feel the love of the family and the respect for the elders’ struggles and sacrifices.
I really enjoyed and valued the detailed information that Martín has woven into the retelling, which really shows a real slice-of-life in the fields. We learn about everything from the daily routine of a picker and their lo-tech equipment to the shady history of sharecropping and the landowners’ corrupt practices.
As in the first book, the large family cast is brilliantly depicted, capturing the idiosyncracies of each family member, and some hilarious interactions between them. I love the schemes and scrapes the kids are involved in- Martín delights in recounting them in all their surreal glory! I love the complexity of Apá. A man desperately trying to make a better life for his kids, who is also a kid at heart; the first to throw the strawberry that starts a battle but also under the stress to make ends meet. Amá who keeps the household running and makes the most of everything. Although, I’m not sure I want to give her natural remedies a go! I also love the cameos of abuelito (who you will definitely remember from book 1 👀) who has an almost otherworldly presence and wisdom.
The photos at the end are a brilliant way to end. I was so happy, & moved, to see the real faces of the Martín family after reading about their adventures together.
Loved it.
September 25, 2026
Love it
Read
September 8, 2026
Trigger & Content Warnings
Racism and discussions of detainment & deportation
Involuntary body modification during deportation (tattoo)
Death of a family friend in a car accident mentioned
Minor physical assault & bullying, including burning a friend with a hot wire in jest (non-malicious)
Racism and discussions of detainment & deportation
Involuntary body modification during deportation (tattoo)
Death of a family friend in a car accident mentioned
Minor physical assault & bullying, including burning a friend with a hot wire in jest (non-malicious)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Another fantastic audio edition of the latest Mexikid middle grade graphic novel that follows a family of Mexican American immigrants living in California who survive by working as part of the field workers. There's great information about migrant field workers, forced immigration, and the challenges of growing up as a first gen child to immigrant parents. In this book Pedro tries really hard to convince his father to let him pursue his musical dreams of playing in a marichi band even though his father has other plans for his life. Amazing on audio with a full cast of narrators and sound effects and perfect for fans of books like A seed in the sun by Aida Salazar. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.
September 3, 2026
Loved this sequel to Mexikid! ❤️ Such a humbling and eye-opening look into the lives of sharecroppers and their families. This book is filled with humor, love, and a deep respect for family. I’m so thankful that Pedro is sharing his life experiences and using his story to teach others the importance of compassion, empathy, and understanding. A beautiful reminder of the power of family and the stories that shape us.
October 9, 2026
I really loved this book. I loved the first one, so it’s no surprise, but I loved the emphasis on his family’s time as sharecroppers. It was filled with warmth and frustration and love and humor and suffering in different ways. It was well rounded and I really loved it.
September 21, 2026
Very beautiful
October 10, 2026
Beautiful.
September 2, 2026
5 stars
What a tremendous memoir in graphic novel form!
_Mexikid_ has been on my TBR for so long, and I'll admit that I didn't get to it before I started this follow-up. I'm not sure what I'm missing by not having read the first book (in order - because I definitely will now), but I CAN say that I felt like this functioned effectively as a self-contained effort without further information. I'm sure my recommendation will change to "absolutley do not miss the first book" when I get there just based on how much I enjoyed this one.
Pedro has thoughts, dreams, and familial interactions typical of the target audience, but his whole life is impacted by his family's constant berry picking. There's so much great illustration and description around what this is like. Readers can imagine the smells, feel, and sounds at every turn. And while there are very serious conversations and messages coming up throughout the novel, there is also a very charming lightheartedness in the writing and relationships. I especially loved the way the siblings interact.
This is a great approach to coming of age, as Pedro begins to uncover more about his family's experiences and choices and how those have impacted him in ways he has not previously realized. I am certain that many young readers will relate to these sentiments and that more seasoned readers will be able to reflect on how much those conversations shape us as we grow.
I can't wait to add this to my list of student recs (and to finally read its predecessor)!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Dial Books for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
What a tremendous memoir in graphic novel form!
_Mexikid_ has been on my TBR for so long, and I'll admit that I didn't get to it before I started this follow-up. I'm not sure what I'm missing by not having read the first book (in order - because I definitely will now), but I CAN say that I felt like this functioned effectively as a self-contained effort without further information. I'm sure my recommendation will change to "absolutley do not miss the first book" when I get there just based on how much I enjoyed this one.
Pedro has thoughts, dreams, and familial interactions typical of the target audience, but his whole life is impacted by his family's constant berry picking. There's so much great illustration and description around what this is like. Readers can imagine the smells, feel, and sounds at every turn. And while there are very serious conversations and messages coming up throughout the novel, there is also a very charming lightheartedness in the writing and relationships. I especially loved the way the siblings interact.
This is a great approach to coming of age, as Pedro begins to uncover more about his family's experiences and choices and how those have impacted him in ways he has not previously realized. I am certain that many young readers will relate to these sentiments and that more seasoned readers will be able to reflect on how much those conversations shape us as we grow.
I can't wait to add this to my list of student recs (and to finally read its predecessor)!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Dial Books for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
September 2, 2026
“Mexikid Dreams” is a laugh-out loud funny graphic memoir following Pedro Martín’s family hijinks, summer jobs, and learning more about his heritage.
I really enjoyed this companion to his first novel. Pedro and his family currently all work in the strawberry fields, but he’s excited to leave the fields and find his dream job - music! Or is it?
I really liked how this graphic novel explored immigration for immigrants (both legal and illegal), as well as what it’s like being in a Mexican family. The sibling interactions and hijinks were so fun to read/see (and so relatable!). This is definitely a book I want my 10-year old to read, both to learn and for the fun! The graphics are phenomenal (something I immediately loved about his first book), and it’s just so pleasing to look at and easy to read.
Definitely pick this one up (and the first one!) for your middle age reader.
Thank you to Penguin Young Readers and NetGalley for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this companion to his first novel. Pedro and his family currently all work in the strawberry fields, but he’s excited to leave the fields and find his dream job - music! Or is it?
I really liked how this graphic novel explored immigration for immigrants (both legal and illegal), as well as what it’s like being in a Mexican family. The sibling interactions and hijinks were so fun to read/see (and so relatable!). This is definitely a book I want my 10-year old to read, both to learn and for the fun! The graphics are phenomenal (something I immediately loved about his first book), and it’s just so pleasing to look at and easy to read.
Definitely pick this one up (and the first one!) for your middle age reader.
Thank you to Penguin Young Readers and NetGalley for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2026
Mexikid Dreams is such a warm, funny, and honest follow-up to Mexikid. Pedro Martín has such a distinct voice equal parts hilarious and heartfelt. I loved watching him navigate a summer of strawberry fields, sibling chaos, and big dreams of trombone playing or cartooning.
What really got me, though, was how the story weaves in the weight of immigration patrols and the quiet courage of Pedro’s parents and abuelito. It never feels heavy-handed; it just sits there naturally alongside the family hijinks and musical daydreams. By the end, Pedro’s journey toward figuring out who he wants to be feels earned, and the book’s message that freedom means knowing where you came from as much as choosing where you’re going rang true and important.
This is a graphic memoir that kids will laugh through and adults will feel deeply. A wonderful companion to the first book. I highly recommend this book for all readers.
Thank you to NetGalley, Pedro Martin, and Dial Books (Penguin Random House) for a copy of this book.
What really got me, though, was how the story weaves in the weight of immigration patrols and the quiet courage of Pedro’s parents and abuelito. It never feels heavy-handed; it just sits there naturally alongside the family hijinks and musical daydreams. By the end, Pedro’s journey toward figuring out who he wants to be feels earned, and the book’s message that freedom means knowing where you came from as much as choosing where you’re going rang true and important.
This is a graphic memoir that kids will laugh through and adults will feel deeply. A wonderful companion to the first book. I highly recommend this book for all readers.
Thank you to NetGalley, Pedro Martin, and Dial Books (Penguin Random House) for a copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mexikid Dreams is a graphic-memoir companion to Mexikid, a Newbery Honor winner. I haven't read Mexikid yet, but it's definitely moving to the top of my TBR. In his latest work, Pedro Martin provides an insight into his family's life in Watsonville. The joyful moments, the difficult ones, and the realities of living as migrant workers under the constant threat of immigration patrols.
What stood out to me most were the family dynamics and the emphasis on traditions, including the scene were the family is making tamales together. I also appreciated the strong focus on gaining an education. How strongly Pedro's father strived to make his kids' lives better, to provide them with opportunities that he never had, while making sure that they knew where they come from.
Once Pedro's father was able to hire extra help and he felt confident they could make ends meet, he gave the kids a choice about whether to continue working in the fields. The kids still had to make cutbacks of their own, to give up some of the small luxuries they were used to, but they were cared for, and their futures mattered.
I loved the updates on what each sibling is doing now in their professional lives, as well as the many pop-culture nods to comics, music and TV shows. Reading Mexikid Dreams also gave me a deeper appreciation for the challenges my own mom faced harvesting and curing tobacco as a young child. Especially all the long hours, the physical strain, and the resilience required to keep going.
**A huge thank you to Dial Books for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review**
What stood out to me most were the family dynamics and the emphasis on traditions, including the scene were the family is making tamales together. I also appreciated the strong focus on gaining an education. How strongly Pedro's father strived to make his kids' lives better, to provide them with opportunities that he never had, while making sure that they knew where they come from.
Once Pedro's father was able to hire extra help and he felt confident they could make ends meet, he gave the kids a choice about whether to continue working in the fields. The kids still had to make cutbacks of their own, to give up some of the small luxuries they were used to, but they were cared for, and their futures mattered.
I loved the updates on what each sibling is doing now in their professional lives, as well as the many pop-culture nods to comics, music and TV shows. Reading Mexikid Dreams also gave me a deeper appreciation for the challenges my own mom faced harvesting and curing tobacco as a young child. Especially all the long hours, the physical strain, and the resilience required to keep going.
**A huge thank you to Dial Books for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review**
March 30, 2026
I would like to thank Pedro Martin, Penguin Young Readers Group, and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to preview Mexikid Dreams in exchange for my sincere review.
This is my second Mexikid book and I am hooked. Martin not only wrote about his own personal life, but has taught others more about his Mexican heritage. To make ends meet, Pedro and the rest of his extremely large family have to work in the Strawberry Farms throughout the year. The children do not want to stay in the fields forever and are busy coming up with bigger and brighter future plans! I think the decision to include the hardships of working in the fields and immigration realities provides an insight into the author’s life and how important family can be in those difficult times!
This was a heartwarming graphic novel memoir and
I will definitely be including this in my middle school library collection!
This is my second Mexikid book and I am hooked. Martin not only wrote about his own personal life, but has taught others more about his Mexican heritage. To make ends meet, Pedro and the rest of his extremely large family have to work in the Strawberry Farms throughout the year. The children do not want to stay in the fields forever and are busy coming up with bigger and brighter future plans! I think the decision to include the hardships of working in the fields and immigration realities provides an insight into the author’s life and how important family can be in those difficult times!
This was a heartwarming graphic novel memoir and
I will definitely be including this in my middle school library collection!
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July 12, 2026(I do not rate memoirs.)
Even though this book is technically a follow up to Martin’s first memoir, it can be read separately. I really appreciated how Martin told his family story, a story of hard-working immigrants displaced by the earthquake in the 70s and now a sharecropping family. Martin explains the mechanism of sharecropping and connect it to its more well-known examples in the south and showing how it continues to be used as a way to put the marginalized on a lower level so that the status quo can continue. He weaves together this final issue with the typical concerns of a middle school boy who would rather draw and watch TV in a way that relate to the target audience. I will definitely search out a hardcopy of this book once it publishes and put it on my classroom shelves.
Even though this book is technically a follow up to Martin’s first memoir, it can be read separately. I really appreciated how Martin told his family story, a story of hard-working immigrants displaced by the earthquake in the 70s and now a sharecropping family. Martin explains the mechanism of sharecropping and connect it to its more well-known examples in the south and showing how it continues to be used as a way to put the marginalized on a lower level so that the status quo can continue. He weaves together this final issue with the typical concerns of a middle school boy who would rather draw and watch TV in a way that relate to the target audience. I will definitely search out a hardcopy of this book once it publishes and put it on my classroom shelves.
October 11, 2026
"Mexikid Dreams" is almost as good as the original "MexiKid," and that is saying something! It has all the same humor (scataological) and heart (big family, music, finding your passion), and the illustrations are delightful. It was fun, funny, and also sweetly poignant in places. A perfect mix.
Description (from Goodreads):
I loved learning more about Pedro's big family in this second volume, but I especially appreciated the focus on his father. What a man! Endlessly hardworking, innovative and creative, and truly thoughtful about how to raise independent, passionate children. Every scene with Abuelito (popping up like a ninja) was hilarious too.
It was eye-opening to learn more about what sharecropping and strawberry picking looked like in the 1970s: the literal backbreaking labor, the extremely narrow margins. And it was sobering to read about immigration enforcement and how dehumanizing it was. Apa's tattoo! 😢
Mexikid is an amazing duology (dare we hope for a third or more?) that is as fun and resonant for adults as it is for its intended middle grade audience (my 11yo loves it too). Graphic memoirs are a wonderful way to vividly and intimately experience an author's life. Pedro Martin's life is a joy.
Description (from Goodreads):
Pedro Martín is sick of strawberries. Since he was seven, he’s spent every weekend and summer picking berries with his family under the hot sun. Sometimes it’s not so bad—Pedro’s an ace at “strawberry wars” with his siblings, and when a good song comes on the radio, the fields can come alive with music. But mostly, Pedro wishes he could just stay home watching Saturday cartoons, head to the beach like other kids, and not worry about immigration patrols. When his older brother gets a job away from the farm, freedom suddenly seems within arm’s Pedro just has to prove to his dad that he’s ready to follow a different path! Maybe he can be a trombone player, or a cartoonist—if that’s even a real job. But as Pedro learns more about his parents’ and abuelito’s past, and the choices they made in order to open up more choices for him, he starts to understand that freedom isn’t just about leaving the fields—it’s about knowing where you came from and having the courage to draw your own life.
I loved learning more about Pedro's big family in this second volume, but I especially appreciated the focus on his father. What a man! Endlessly hardworking, innovative and creative, and truly thoughtful about how to raise independent, passionate children. Every scene with Abuelito (popping up like a ninja) was hilarious too.
It was eye-opening to learn more about what sharecropping and strawberry picking looked like in the 1970s: the literal backbreaking labor, the extremely narrow margins. And it was sobering to read about immigration enforcement and how dehumanizing it was. Apa's tattoo! 😢
Mexikid is an amazing duology (dare we hope for a third or more?) that is as fun and resonant for adults as it is for its intended middle grade audience (my 11yo loves it too). Graphic memoirs are a wonderful way to vividly and intimately experience an author's life. Pedro Martin's life is a joy.
September 29, 2026
Companion to Mexikid (can stand alone)
Pedro and his family have moved from San Fernando where his family owned and ran a restaurant to Watsonville. There, the entire family is involved in the backbreaking labor of picking strawberries. Pedro and his 8 siblings, his parents, his grandfather, plus his uncle and cousins are all out in the fields from the break of dawn until late in the day to harvest the juicy fruit. He longs to stay home, to watch cartoons, and to draw like The Other Kids who are not always dirty and smelly and have nice even tans and can go to the beach. All of the kids from the youngest to the oldest come up with plans to get out of the fields somehow, someday. Sal escapes first my finding a job at a lumberyard. This puts more pressure on the rest of the family as it has reduced the number of pickers. As a sharecropper, Pedro's dad will either need to hire more labor - which will mean less money for the family - or the rest of the kids will need to work harder to make up for the loss of Sal. Pedro decides that playing the trombone in a mariachi band is his way out of the fields - but it does not completely get him out of the work.
This is an eye-opening and also humorous look (strawberry fights, stinky outhouses) look at the incredible amount of effort that goes into putting fruit onto your table and the people who put it there, whether they are migrant workers, undocumented immigrants, sharecroppers, etc. Take a moment to be grateful. It is also a testament to those who work hard so that their children will have a better life told with love, humor, and excellent graphics.
Pedro and his family have moved from San Fernando where his family owned and ran a restaurant to Watsonville. There, the entire family is involved in the backbreaking labor of picking strawberries. Pedro and his 8 siblings, his parents, his grandfather, plus his uncle and cousins are all out in the fields from the break of dawn until late in the day to harvest the juicy fruit. He longs to stay home, to watch cartoons, and to draw like The Other Kids who are not always dirty and smelly and have nice even tans and can go to the beach. All of the kids from the youngest to the oldest come up with plans to get out of the fields somehow, someday. Sal escapes first my finding a job at a lumberyard. This puts more pressure on the rest of the family as it has reduced the number of pickers. As a sharecropper, Pedro's dad will either need to hire more labor - which will mean less money for the family - or the rest of the kids will need to work harder to make up for the loss of Sal. Pedro decides that playing the trombone in a mariachi band is his way out of the fields - but it does not completely get him out of the work.
This is an eye-opening and also humorous look (strawberry fights, stinky outhouses) look at the incredible amount of effort that goes into putting fruit onto your table and the people who put it there, whether they are migrant workers, undocumented immigrants, sharecroppers, etc. Take a moment to be grateful. It is also a testament to those who work hard so that their children will have a better life told with love, humor, and excellent graphics.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This sequel to the graphic memoir Mexikid follows Pedro and his siblings as they help their father on the land where they sharecrop. Pedro doesn't like the work most of the time, and has bigger dreams; maybe he will become a musician, or be able to follow his passion for drawing, although this isn't considered to be a viable career. He eventually realizes that his father works very hard so that all of the children can have easier lives, and devotes himself to helping out a bit more. Since Martín grew up in the 1970s, this book will give modern children a look at life in the past. There is an epilogue that describes the different careers that the Martín children ended up pursuing.
There is a teacher who uses the first book as a class read aloud, so I'll need to purchase this follow up volume. There aren't a lot of books set in the 1970s, and in 2026, this is the era when the grandparents of middle grade readers grew up. I enjoyed watching Pedro come to understand how and why his parents worked so hard, but I still worry about telling children to follow their joy even if their career aspirations might be difficult to follow. As a very bitter ex Latin teacher who had to retrain as a librarian only to find that being a school librarian isn't a great career choice either, I take this very much to heart.
This sequel to the graphic memoir Mexikid follows Pedro and his siblings as they help their father on the land where they sharecrop. Pedro doesn't like the work most of the time, and has bigger dreams; maybe he will become a musician, or be able to follow his passion for drawing, although this isn't considered to be a viable career. He eventually realizes that his father works very hard so that all of the children can have easier lives, and devotes himself to helping out a bit more. Since Martín grew up in the 1970s, this book will give modern children a look at life in the past. There is an epilogue that describes the different careers that the Martín children ended up pursuing.
There is a teacher who uses the first book as a class read aloud, so I'll need to purchase this follow up volume. There aren't a lot of books set in the 1970s, and in 2026, this is the era when the grandparents of middle grade readers grew up. I enjoyed watching Pedro come to understand how and why his parents worked so hard, but I still worry about telling children to follow their joy even if their career aspirations might be difficult to follow. As a very bitter ex Latin teacher who had to retrain as a librarian only to find that being a school librarian isn't a great career choice either, I take this very much to heart.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mexikid by Pedro Martin was one of my top books the year it was released, so I was excited to receive this ARC of Mexikid Dreams. This companion book follows Pedro and his family after "the big shake" earthquake that sent his family further north in California to pick strawberries. Pedro shares his challenging experiences of working in the field with his family while comparing that with many other kids his age who did not have those responsibilities. Cartoons and music were his outlets, and he shares his love of them in his drawings. Simultaneously, he explains to readers about the history of Share Cropping and other relevant events. The story balances Pedro's mix of optimism and humor while still sharing how close his family was and what they and others went through, including with immigration raids on some of the farm workers. The design of Mexikid is one that I show students and staff, how art in graphic novels complements the text and helps move the story, how the coloring and style changes to convey different times and parts of the story. Mexikid Dreams is no different, and I can't wait to get a physical copy for my library because I know it will be even better looking in person. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Pedro Martin's contributions to juvenile literature can stop here and no one would be mad. But he should continue and this one was equally funny and serious and it's ending was storytelling perfection (though it's a graphic novel memoir so his grounding in reality wrapping it up in a bow for readers to move on to other stories).
Martin focuses this story, not on the road trip to get his grandfather from Mexico, but now about his entire family working the strawberry fields while managing school and his instrument living solidly in the 70s with plenty of references to the time period that feels more contemporary than historical. Kids can learn about bands and musicians of the time period but also superheroes and characters like The Incredible Hulk.
Martin's humor is unmatched. He blends the seriousness of their financial situation and long days in the fields with items like the outhouses and strawberry wars and his father always adding an "e" in front of words. There are the ghosts of the musicians in the fields and his mother's food pushing love of the family. It all comes together in an adventurous exploration of being a sharecropping kid with big dreams of music and comics but a whole lot of love for his big family.
Martin focuses this story, not on the road trip to get his grandfather from Mexico, but now about his entire family working the strawberry fields while managing school and his instrument living solidly in the 70s with plenty of references to the time period that feels more contemporary than historical. Kids can learn about bands and musicians of the time period but also superheroes and characters like The Incredible Hulk.
Martin's humor is unmatched. He blends the seriousness of their financial situation and long days in the fields with items like the outhouses and strawberry wars and his father always adding an "e" in front of words. There are the ghosts of the musicians in the fields and his mother's food pushing love of the family. It all comes together in an adventurous exploration of being a sharecropping kid with big dreams of music and comics but a whole lot of love for his big family.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is so great. I love seeing these kind of things for kids. I mean, honestly for everybody, but especially for kids to be able to read and understand and get knowledge and information through a way. That's still fun and interesting. I'm a growing adult with grandchildren, and will definitely be buying a hardcover copy of this. When it comes out, my children are first generation, Honduran Americans, their stepdad, is an immigrant from Mexico and he did a lot of migrant farm working, hen he was growing up in the the 60s and 70s, and as a white person, growing up in the Midwest, I didn't know a lot about it. Just the very little bit you get in school about sharecropping and migrant farming, which is not very much. And I was appalled when I learned how these things worked when I got older and learning how people were paid and treated and housed and this is a great history lesson, and a way to get understanding of what happened in history (and atill happens) in an interesting way that kids will relate to and like to read- i hope this author does more to explain other things. If they can, in a form like this, because there's so much that needs to be taught about the history of the struggle.
Thank you to net galley for the arc in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to net galley for the arc in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Pedro Martín for sharing an advance copy of this book with me; it is a deeply reflective and memorable work. The book stayed with me as a powerful narrative about childhood shaped through strawberry sharecropping, family responsibility, and the different paths siblings ultimately carve for themselves. What I found especially compelling is how Martín captures memory—not just as a series of events, but as lived, emotional experiences connected to labor, culture, and identity. Even though I read the black-and-white advance copy, I could vividly imagine the colors—the memories felt incredibly vibrant, almost textured with movement and feeling. The contrast between shared beginnings and the siblings’ diverging futures is thoughtfully portrayed, showing how the same environment can lead to very different life trajectories. I also appreciated how the memoir reveals the author’s childhood and adolescence through an evolving lens, as his thinking and perspective shift in honest and nuanced ways. Overall, it’s a powerful reflection on family, labor, and identity that lingers well beyond the final page.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
10yo Pedro (who is about 13 by the end of the book) is back from Mexico with his family (8 brothers and sisters) Their restaurant has been damaged by an earthquake and so the family has moved to California where they are sharecroppers, picking strawberries. Everyone helps, all hands are needed to make ends meet. But when the oldest brother gets a job at a lumberyard, Pedro starts making a plan to get out of working too - he wants to draw (and watch cartoons). But when a friend at school encourages Pedro to join the band, he rethinks his plan. Now he wants to plan the trombone!
Pedro Martin is so funny, and this series is delightful. I love how he shows the sibling interactions, funny names for the outhouse and the way they work in the fields. I also loved how he really showed the plight of the share croppers, the difficulty making a profit and a danger experienced by undocumented people (in 1977) who were desperate for work so they could send money home. A great companion which can stand alone to Mexikid. The family is Mexican with some of the children first generation American
Pedro Martin is so funny, and this series is delightful. I love how he shows the sibling interactions, funny names for the outhouse and the way they work in the fields. I also loved how he really showed the plight of the share croppers, the difficulty making a profit and a danger experienced by undocumented people (in 1977) who were desperate for work so they could send money home. A great companion which can stand alone to Mexikid. The family is Mexican with some of the children first generation American
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Thank you to Edelweiss for the arc. Mexikid was a glimpse into a life-a road trip, but this is a look behind the curtain. Circumstances land the entire family on a strawberry farm. They are sharecroppers, so to keep costs down all the kids work the fields. Pedro dreams of being a "normal" kid. Of watching cartoons, visiting the beach and having an even tan. But the strawberries don't care about his dreams. When oldest brother Sal is released from working in the fields because he gets an outside job and "has a plan" Pedro is inspired. All he needs is the plan and cartoon-watching is locked in. He seizes on music as his plan because his father loves the idea of one of his kids being a mariachi. But does Pedro have the talent to make it happen? And does he really want to? The love and strength of this family shines throughout, as does the laughter. The strawberry fights were a hoot. Just wonderful.
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