Manuelito

by Elisa Amado, Abraham Urias (Illustrator)

Thirteen-year-old Manuelito is a gentle boy who lives with his family in a tiny village in the Guatemalan countryside. But life is far from PACs―armed civil patrol―are a constant presence in the streets, and terrifying memories of the country’s war linger in the villagers’ collective conscience. Things deteriorate further when government-backed drug gangs arrive and take control of the village. Fearing their son will be forced to join a gang, Manuelito’s parents make the desperate decision to send him to live with his aunt in America.   With just a bus ticket and a small amount of cash in hand, Manuelito begins his hazardous journey to Mexico, then the U.S., in search of asylum. But in the end, dangers such as the crooked “coyote”―or human smuggler―his parents have entrusted their son’s life to may be nothing compared to the risks Manuelito faces when he finally reaches America.   Manuelito’s titular character is just one of the staggering one hundred thousand children from the Northern Triangle of Central America―Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras―who have made this perilous journey to escape their war-torn countries. Many are now detained in Mexico, separated from their parents and without access to lawyers, facing the unthinkable prospect of being sent back to the homes and danger they risked so much to escape.   Drawing on years of experience working with child refugees like Manuelito, Elisa Amado’s powerful story, illustrated with striking poignancy by Abraham Urias, brings to light the dire circumstances of so many children, so close to home.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Fiction, Politics, Realistic Fiction, Comics

104 pages, Hardcover

First published April 9, 2019

About the author

Elisa Amado is a native of Guatemala who now lives and works in eastern Canada. In addition to writing stories for the early grades based upon her own multicultural experiences, she has also served as a translator for both Spanish and Zapotec authors who craft tales for young children. In her dual roles as writer and translator, Amado has expanded the number of Central American folk tales available to an English-speaking audience.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful GN that follows a small Guatemalan boy (Manuelito) as he tries to get to the US to live with his aunt. So often we forget the toll that migration takes on individuals; we often see things from the perspective of the comfort of our own position. Tales like this put a face to a process that is both pervasive and growing.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a young Guatemalan boy whose family forces him to go with a coyote to America. It was no longer safe in his village due to gangs and even the military kidnapping young boys and forcing them into service. It's interesting to see this side of the immigration debate that we don't often see in the U.S. He's only making the dangerous trip to America because his family doesn't know any other way to keep him safe. He even does the right thing by claiming asylum as soon as he enters the country. It just goes to show things are not so black and while as politicians would like you to believe.

Received a review copy from Annick Press and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

An attempt to humanize the asylum seekers trying to cross the United States' southern border from Central America, this book is well intentioned if not particularly well done. The narration of the young protagonist is just sort of awkward, and the writer and artist sometimes do not seem in sync with their words and images.

Also, I think the intended audience is children, but I'm not sure younger readers will be able to handle the very real, very bleak ending.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of this book had so much potential, but fell flat for me. I love books about immigration and Guatemala. So put them together it seems an obvious win-win. Children asylum seekers are a tough subject that needs to be more widely known about, but I was hoping for more. Also, for me the illustrations being in black and white gave it more of an out of date feel to it. The story would have felt more modern if it was in color, in my opinion.

2019 Popsugar Challenge: Your favorite prompt from a past Popsugar Reading Challenge (A Graphic Novel)

[Carrie Templeton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Manuelito’s story is an unfortunate reality for so many asylum seekers today. The struggle to get to safety, followed by inhumane treatment upon arriving in the US. A simply told story, but an important one.

I love the scratchy quality of the illustrations in Manuelito, but wish there was less stark juxtaposition between the text and the art.

[BookNightOwl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This graphic novel is about a boy and a friend whose family pay a bad coyote to help them get to Guatemalan to the United States. His Country is not safe for young boys who are often led into gangs or killed. This story describes their journey to America and even what happens when they get there.
I really enjoy reading and learning about what going on in our border towns and immigration. I felt like this story lacked some details or description in the writing to get me feeling just a little emotional or feelings on what is going on. Yes it is really sad. I see it on the news read it on the internet. I wanted to feel it in this story. I thought the pictures were beautiful but wish they would has been in color to see more detail.

Received a review copy from Annick Press and Netgalley. All thoughts are my own.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy via Annick Press in exchange for an honest review.

This is a novel meant to be made as a statement, and I have a feeling it won’t go unnoticed, especially as lives like Manuelito garner more media attention. For the kids who read this, they will definitely be learning about social justice and what it means to live in fear. The story isn’t graphic, but it’s written in a way so that younger kids can grasp the message and feel compassion for Manuelito and the other characters.

A necessary and powerful read for anyone interested in introducing this topic to the kids in your life.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The drawings are artistic but I’m not sure they are clear enough to be compelling. I wish we had more backstory with Manuelito so teens could identify with him.

[Kimberly Bower MLIS (gladeslibrarian) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Manuelito tells the story of a young teenager living in Guatemala and the dangers he faces in his community. His parents pay a coyote (human trafficker) to accompany Mauelito from his home in Guatemala to the United States border where he seeks asylum. The story told in graphic novel format details the events that take place during the trip and also after his arrival at his aunt's house in Long Island, New York.

The author places blame on the United States government under Obama and Trump for the poor treatment and living conditions experienced by unaccompanied minors who enter the United States illegally seeking asylum from their homeland. Events in the story may act as emotional triggers for individuals who have family members in similar circumstances. The conversations that come out of the shared reading of this story may be heated, political, and emotionally charged. It would be a good fit in a related text set in a high school course.

The digital galley I received from NetGalley was in black and white except for the book cover and the text was typewritten rather than in a font I typically see in graphic novels so I cannot comment on the visual aspect of this graphic novel. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the digital galley.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manuelito is a short-less then 100 pages story centered around the journey of Manuelito who migrates to America in hope for a better life. The story follows him from his beginnings in his small pueblo to making it all the way to America. It's not a happy ending though.

At the end, the author includes a legal definition of migration along with a write-up about the social and political reasoning for so much of the instability found in Central American countries.

While, all completely true and valid. I have trouble reconciling that a child (as it's meant as a children book) will truly be able to understand it all. Definitely should've been aimed more as a YA+ graphic novel since there needs to be a larger conversation about US Foreign policy for the ending write-up to make sense.

Still, I think it's a great story about the realities that many migrant people face when attempting to flee their surroundings for the possibility of a better life.

[Kristen Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A harrowing tale of what immigrants go through to arrive at the doorsteps of the United States only to be shipped back into strife by ICE without realizing what they are being sent back to. A very relevant book to what kids are facing today.

[kaotickitten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel highlights the reasons and trails that refugees from Central America face. It is a good fictional story that will tug at the heart strings. It highlights in a way that is good for fourth graders on to adults will understand. This may help some gain insight and empathy for the asylum seekers.

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too brief for my liking but still an important read that sheds light on the refugee crisis.

[Erin *BookDragon_Library* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for a free digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I would consider this an illustrated chapter book versus a graphic novel. The digital ARC I read had B&W pencil type sketches. I’m not sure how the final print product looks. The story itself is about 13-year-old boy and his journey from Guatemala through Mexico and in to the US. The “voice” of Manuelito is very short sentences and reminds me of how someone writes when English is their second language or some middle grade writers which I assume is intentional since both characteristics fit.

I would recommend this for older middle school or high school kids. There is violence though mostly "off-page", heavy themes, brief mention of rape. I understand the train of events where Manuelito asked for asylum at the border, then went to jail, then transferred to a kid center where he started taking some kind of class, then the kid center closed, he went to his aunt, goes to school one day and then ICE showed up. Then they were immediately flown back to Guatemala without any mention of court for seeking asylum or why it wasn’t granted. Why was Manuelito just “released” from the border jail to some teen center with classes and then sent to his aunt? I don’t believe the Border Patrol just randomly releases kids to centers who can then send the kids on buses. It just seemed like there needs to be more details to fill in the gaps to make it a more believable or understandable process to help the reader better understand the reality of Manuelitos situation.

I think the message of understanding why people risk their lives to come to the US is extremely important right now. My husband is an immigrant from Mexico and I have some in-laws that are in the country with a variety of immigration statuses. However, some of the commentary I felt was a little much even to prove a political point. I don’t think ICE officers actually say out loud “You are illegals! You are going back where you came from! We don’t want you here.” The ending of this book has a couple pages of very strong and pointed political opinion which is punctuated with some historical facts. It is hard to separate the facts from the opinions in this section. I like the concept of this book and feel it is timely and necessary but I just feel it was too pointedly politically motivated and instead of causing sympathy with the readers who NEED to read it and understand, they may just get turned off by the big swings in events and gaps in sequence of events.

[Michelle Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

#kidlitexchange #partner Thanks to Annick Press, author Elisa Amado, and illustrator Abraham Urias for sharing this upcoming MG graphic novel with the @kitlitexchange network. MANUELITO releases 4/9/19. All opinions are my own.
✨
MANUELITO is a graphic novel that explains the dangers of seeking asylum from the perspective of a thirteen-year-old Guatemalan boy. When cartel-backed drug gangs invade his village, it is no longer safe for anyone to live there, but especially teen boys. They are recruited into the dangerous gangs, killed, or, disappear. Manuelito’s parents make the desperate decision to hire a coyote (a human smuggler who will take him to the border with the US), give Manuelito a small amount of cash, and send him to the US to seek asylum and then stay with his aunt. Through powerful, yet simple-to-understand text and strikingly-rendered illustrations, we witness what it is like to make that dangerous trip to the US border, to be processed through customs, and to try to find your way in America.
✨
The perspective of this story is what really sets it apart––a brave young teen telling his truth, experienced as he made the dangerous journey to America only to be sent back by ICE just when he thought he was safe. Manuelito is one fictional example of the over 100,000 children from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Hondura who have made this perilous journey, hoping to find safety. Many of those children are now detained in Mexico, separate from their parents, with no access to lawyers, and will most likely be sent back to their dangerous lives from which they risked everything to escape.
✨
Kids hear adults talking about the refugee crisis, families seeking asylum, ICE, deportation, and problems at our borders. It must be confusing to them, trying to understand the complexities of these problems that even adults tend to grapple with. MANUELITO does a great job of opening our eyes to exactly what it feels like to be a refugee. Must read for all. Great addition for classroom libraries! For 12+

[Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lately, it has been a relevant time for books. Books like White Rose from @kipwilsonwrites and Internment by @sam_aye_ahm give us glimpses into both the past and one of our not so great futures. Manuelito, published by @annick_press is here to tell you about the present.

TW: Mild Violence (off page)

In the present, headlines about refugees and immigration plague our news feeds and our TVs but sometimes we forget. Those headlines are also people, children, with harrowing stories to tell and one of them is Manuelito.

You follow Manuelito on his journey from Guatemala to the US to seek asylum, it isn't easy and a lot of things happen on the way. The simple images look like Manuelito could have drawn them, and written at a vocabulary level similar to a child's, you get the feeling that Manuelito is speaking to you. In 97 pages this graphic novel is not asking you to change all your beliefs but it is asking you to take a moment, step into their shoes and understand how the world looks like from where they are standing. It might make you wonder, how would you feel if this was your only way out?

Topics Discussed in the book:

Background Stories- Not only do you see Manuelito's journey but you see why the decision was made, but his story is not the only one given light.

Conditions for Child refugees- We have seen it all over the news, but while its news to you, its reality for them.

Safety of Passage- The trip from Guatemala to the US is not easy, and the book does not shy away from showing some of the possible scenarios.

5/5 ❤❤❤❤❤

In the end, I gave this book a perfect rating because it is relevant because with its 97 pages it is accessible to everyone, reader and non-reader alike. Books like this need to exist so their stories can be told, so people can relate and stop thinking it has nothing to do with them. Thousands of children and refugees die attempting to seek Asylum in the US every year. I am just asking you to read one story. It could make a difference.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This depressing story is ripped from today's headlines, as the saying goes.

Manuelito is trying to escape his home in Guatemala, as the local gangs are killing people, and the army is snatching people, and it is not safe to be there. He thinks that going to the US is the only way, and his father pays a coyote to take him there. This is the story of his trip.





The art looks awkward, as though drawn from photographs. The text looks slapped on, but that might be just the review gallery version. The book is depressing, but based on real life events that are happening even now.

I found the art a little to much on the crude side, but the story was intense, and very realistic. It is a story that needs to be told, because of all the horrors that are happening south of the American border.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Kate Waggoner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manuelito is the powerful story of a teenage refugee. When gangs start to take over Manuelito's town in Guatemala, his parents fear for his safety and hire a coyote to take him to the United States. The graphic novel details Manuelito's trip to the United States, his attempt to seek asylum once he reaches the U.S., and his treatment within the U.S. The story is told in a graphic novel style with some initial information provided before and after the graphic novel about Guatemala and refugees.

This is a very simply narrated story of a very complex issue. The story is told in a way that younger readers will understand and will have empathy and compassion for Manuelito. I believe that this is a very important social justice issue for young readers to learn and think about and discuss. This book could lead to some very interested and deep conversations if used in the right setting and context. There is a lot of information in this book and younger readers may need help processing everything. For older readers, middle and high school, this graphic novel could lead to some great discussions. It would also make a great addition to a text set on the topic of social justice.

I received a review copy from Annick Press and NetGalley. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

@kidlitexchange #partner-- I received a copy of this book from kidlitexchange network in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This book releases April 9, 2019

Manuelito is a graphic novel of a teenage refugee from Guatemala. His parents choose to send him to America to live with his aunt because of the danger in his home village. However, the journey to America is fraught with risk and fear.
This graphic novel really opened my eyes to something I was not aware of previously. I didn't know the stories of Guatemalan gangs, coyotes, and refugees. The hand drawn, black and white pictures are reflective of the rough and hurried situation Manuelito experienes.

I appreciate the effort more publishers are making to publish books that help young readers to begin reading diversely. The books available when I was a young reader feel so shallow compared to the books available to youth now and I feel that will be incredibly beneficial to our growing readers. That being said, this book is defintely 12+. Thank you to @kidlitexchange and Annick Press for this review copy.

[Akoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

@Kidlitexchange #partner - I received a copy of this book from the Kidlitexchange network in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Releasing 4/9/19

When cartel-backed gangs took over his village, Manuelito's parents find him a coyote and send him on his way to the U.S. for a chance at a safer, better life.

I knew reading this graphic novel would make me very upset but I had to. As a U.S. immigrant (and a former non-U.S. refugee) even though my circumstances are different I feel it's important I lend my voice to this book.

Very few people gleefully leave everything that makes home HOME, behind, in pursuit of happiness. The vast majority leave because their lives are in danger in one way or another as illustrated in this book.

With the current treatment asylum seekers are getting and the rampant negative propaganda about immigrants and refugees in general, books that illustrate the stark reality of it all are vital.

I hope books like this one will be shared far and wide in hopes that the next generation will know better about human rights and have more empathy.

[Marta Ilieva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Manuelito follows the story of a young Guatemalan boy, Manuelito, who is forced to leave his country because of the terror created by PACs and drug gangs, and shows what happens to immigrants (in this case, from Guatemala) just when they cross the border. This graphic novel encapsulates current immigration crisis, making it relevant and horrifyingly real. While the story focuses on only one person, it nevertheless highlights the horrors of what refugees/immigrants/asylum seekers go through today. It’s heart-wrenching. It captures the realness of human trepidation and suffering that go alongside the notion of what happens when one faces the unknown. Manuelito as a graphic novel is perfect for middle and junior high school students who, hopefully, by reading this will build on empathy for the less privileged and gain an understanding of what others go through in order to reach safety.

Thank you NetGalley and Annick Press for this eARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[montogma25 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thing that I would suggest, is that when reading the book, get a physical copy instead of eBook. I don't know why, but graphic novels do not work well in eBook format. Aside from that, Manuelito is definitely a book that I would recommend for purchase to my library. For any teacher who is trying to introduce the subject of immigration and refugees to children and middle schoolers, this would be the book that I would recommend. Elisa Amado does a great job describing the plight of that Manuelito and his family are facing both in Guatemala and in the United States. There is also a great amount of historical information that the children will be able to read about which explains why people have to immigrate from this area to the United States. I also enjoyed reading about the author's background and why doing stories like Mauelito is so important to her. This will help the reader to have an even stronger connection to Manuelito.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sad & terrifying story about a 13 year old's life in Guatemala...leading to his parents decision to try to engineer their son's dangerous & risky escape to America. This timely story is accompanied by very expressive 2 tone chalk like drawings/illustrations......very well done, & story very well told. It sort of describes the scary urgency & violence......without blatant graphic horror.....that is/must be a part of this awful drama...... It is terrible what is going on in that Northern Triangle of Central America due to drugs & gangs.... This book is really good.....very expressive, with it's dialogue & illustrations.
I received this e-ARC from the publisher Annick Press Ltd. & NetGalley, in return for my own fair & honest review.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

@kidlitexchange #partner
Thank you to @annick_press for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Manuelito is a thirteen year old Guatemalan. His parents decide to send him to America with the “help” of a coyote so that Manuelito does not become a victim of gang violence like his Tio Domingo. This graphic novel does not shy away from sharing the harsh reality that many peope from the Northern Triangle of Central America are forced to endure before, during, and after attempting to seek asylum in the United States. The story is heartbreaking; you experience Manuelito’s journey blow-by-blow. The simple two-tone illustrations bring the story of Manuelito to life.

This book would be a great addition to upper middle school/high school classrooms.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timely graphic novel about a boy from Guatemala who makes the dangerous trek to America to seek asylum.

Manuelito is a powerful and heartbreaking story that provides readers an important perspective and historical background on the Northern Triangle refugee crisis. I loved the graphite illustrations too.

The foreword regarding our worldwide refugee crisis, and United Nation's Conventions and Protocols Relating to the Status of Refugees at the end of the book solidifies what I love most about each Annick Press book I have read: they publish stories that shine light on the varied experiences of young people from around the globe!


I received this egalley from the publisher via netgalley.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manuelito's story is a timely one - especially for raising empathetic awareness for students who have not gone through the experience of living in a dangerous place, leaving their families, and making the terrifying journey to the United States. The book ends abruptly after Manuelito is deported by ICE back to Guatemala - his future is unknown, but his family is devastated. I think the graphic novel format really lends itself well to this kind of biographical story; the text is not overwhelming, the pictures expressive, and overall the book is far from daunting reader-wise. I'm really looking forward to hearing from some of the teens I serve about Manuelito - I'm sure there are more kids than I could imagine who will see their own stories mirrored in this book.

[BiblioBeruthiel]

I will forgo giving this an actual rating because it would pain me too much to rate it poorly.

This book is important. This book needs to be written and read and written again and read again. We need books on books on books on this subject, so I'm glad this was written and is an own voices book.

As a graphic novel it is... bad. Overall the quality of the art, 'inking', and text placement are bad. The art is not particularly expressive. It is faded out and in grayscale so not much is actually communicated. The panel design and speech bubble placement are not good and often confusing.

[Elizabeth Seibel]

#manuelito is a quick graphic novel about a boy from Guatemala who is sent to America for his safety. It describes his journey with the coyote his parents pay to take him across the borders. It details the difficulties of that journey, the fear that he has, the separation, and the danger. I wish the artistry was a little cleaner and the text seemed a little basic, but it is still a book I would recommend to my 6th grade students. Thank you #netgalley for a preview of this book to review.

[Dani Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that is, unfortunately, very relevant right now. The illustrations are beautiful black and white, stark, I'd say. the story is of Manuelito (and others) who are hoping to cross the US/Mexico border into the US. What happens along the way with the "coyote" is horrifying, as is treatment once Manuelito does make it into the states.

Though the book is not an in-depth look at this issue, it is a good primer, especially for young folks.

[Lissette Vazquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Latina this book pierced my heart. I am not Guatemalan but I'm a mother and I couldn't bear the thought of sending my child away. We are blessed here and there has to be a way we share and help others grow. It is basic enough to make anyone unseeatnd the plight is these children. A a reader we can also make inferences s to what happens or has happened