My Two Border Towns

by David Bowles, Erika Meza (Illustrator)

A picture book debut by an award-winning author about a boy's life on the U.S.-Mexico border, visiting his favorite places on The Other Side with his father, spending time with family and friends, and sharing in the responsibility of community care.

Early one Saturday morning, a boy prepares for a trip to The Other Side/El Otro Lado. It's close--just down the street from his school--and it's a twin of where he lives. To get there, his father drives their truck along the Rio Grande and over a bridge, where they're greeted by a giant statue of an eagle. Their outings always include a meal at their favorite restaurant, a visit with Tío Mateo at his jewelry store, a cold treat from the paletero, and a pharmacy pickup. On their final and most important stop, they check in with friends seeking asylum and drop off much-needed supplies.

My Two Border Towns by David Bowles, with illustrations by Erika Meza, is the loving story of a father and son's weekend ritual, a demonstration of community care, and a tribute to the fluidity, complexity, and vibrancy of life on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Latinx, Childrens, Cultural, Realistic Fiction, Friendship

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 24, 2021

About the author

David Bowles is a Mexican American author and translator from south Texas. He has written several award-winning titles, most notably THEY CALL ME GÜERO and MY TWO BORDER TOWNS

His work has also been published in multiple anthologies, plus venues such as The New York Times, Strange Horizons, School Library Journal, Rattle, Translation Review, and the Journal of Children’s Literature.

Additionally, David has worked on several TV/film projects. In 2019, he co-founded the hashtag and activist movement #DignidadLiteraria, which has negotiated greater Latinx representation in publishing. He is presently the president of the Texas Institute of Letters.

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bilingual story about a boy and his father who travel from one side to the other side of the United States Mexico border. Despite a message about immigration and refuges, the uplifting tone and joyful illustrations show the beauty of the two border towns.

[Courtney Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this book was beautiful and deep. Sort of a slice of life and felt extremely authentic. The part about the refugee child stuck at the border- that hit hard. Gorgeous illustration and the page about the river was pure poetry. Recommend and would read again, my only complaint was it was too short but I’m sure there are page limits to children’s books. This is an underreppresented story but may be too hard a topic for some children.

[Abby Johnson]

This is a striking picture book about a boy and his father traveling from the US to Mexico to a border town to make purchases and visit family. Most striking to me is the ending, in which they stop to share some of their purchases with a family living on the bridge between countries, refugees not accepted by either nation and waiting for a chance to immigrate. This is definitely a book to start conversations about borders, immigration, and being kind to others who live in our world.

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important story.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy prepares for a father-son ritual Saturday trip to The Other Side/El Otro Lado, just down the street from his school and a twin of where he lives. To get there, his father drives their truck along the Rio Grande and over a bridge, where they're greeted by a giant statue of an eagle. Their outings always include a meal at their favorite restaurant, a visit with Tío Mateo at his jewelry store, a cold treat from the paletero, and a pharmacy pickup. On their final and most important stop, they check in with friends seeking asylum and drop off much-needed supplies. A vibrant depiction of life on the U.S./Mexico border.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY TWO BORDER TOWNS showcases authentic lives in border towns in South Texas.

As a child who grew up in Mercedes, Texas, going across the border was a repeated activity for me. This story brings reminders of those visits via the eyes of a father and son who care for their community deeply.

[Melissa Kahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every other Saturday, a young boy and his father set out to prepare for their trip to the other side of the border. In the picture book, “My Two Border Towns” by David Bowles and illustrated by Erike Meza, is a historical fiction picture book aimed to provide young readers in grades 1-3 with an understanding about refugees and freedom. The young boy and his father have the freedom to go across borders by only paying a small fee and showing a card into Mexico. While on the other side of the border line in Mexico, they buy items for their friends who are stuck between borders, such as T-shirts, chanclas, and bottled water. The father tells his son “it’s unfair to make him wait, since our country has room for his family right now. But when they get their chance at last, we’ll welcome them with open arms” (Bowles, 2021, p. 28). This is a powerful message at the end of the book where readers learn about the daily struggles and the fluidity of living life in the U.S.-Mexican border. Through this simple read, the beautiful illustrations represent more than freedom, it represents community. The expressions on each character's faces exemplifies a tight knight community and close relationships within Mexican culture. We can sense that these people help each other no matter their citizen status.

Teachers could use this book as an introduction to a Social Studies unit about immigration. This story also gives a small history note about the border. The author wrote, “Coahuiletecans once lived here, before all this was Mexico- both riverbanks” (Bowles, 2021, p. 5). I recommend pre teaching vocabulary words prior to reading this book, as there are many Spanish vocabulary words (i.e. chanclas, otro lado). If you don't know Spanish and you have Spanish speaking students in your class, you can have students teach the class how to pronounce the words. Even though there are Spanish words, I recommend reading this book aloud to your class because the illustrations are phenomenal. I also recommend reading the author’s note at the end of the story because the author explains how he was inspired to write this story after his childhood where he would regularly cross the Texas border with his father to visit family. I think this will encourage students to understand how authors draw on their own experiences to inspire their stories. I found this book on the Wakelet website and it was also recommended to me by my school librarian.

[Emma Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked reading this book. It is about a little boy and his family that live on the U.S.- Mexico border and regularly crosses the border to the “other side”. They go to the “other side” and visit with their family, and eat different kinds of food that they don’t have a lot of on a regular basis. They go run some errands to get things for their family back in the U.S. and get food, medication, and games for the families that are stuck at the border and don’t have a home. The little boy and his father are helping out their community in many ways. This will show students what life is like for people who regularly cross the border frequently. It also showcases the mixes of cultures in a border town that highlights the languages, foods, and customs from both countries.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful and happy-sad book with a great message! It so reminds me of my monthly drives between Sonora Mexico and Tucson! And it really captures a drop of Mexican culture, one being how people seem to live outside, there is such a strong sense of community! Everyone nods and waves to each other! Every individual matters!

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Изключително важна история за емиграцията, дома и грижата за “твоите хора”.

[Zahro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bahasa campuran.
Ilustrasinya nyaman diliat haha.

[Lannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem of a book. Extra special if you also speak/read Spanish, and a learning opportunity if you don’t.

My volunteer background is in refugee resettlement and more recently advocating for and aiding migrants with donations as they wait in long lines with little to no shelter. This book brings those images to life in a real but child-level understanding, with an even, factual tone. To an outsider like me (A Spanish-ish speaking Vietnamese-American), the book seemed muy auténtico, with terms of endearment, and shop names that bring life to the town illustrated on the page. Mostly it highlighted the love the people have for their own.

The journey through the story is adventurous and exciting from the child’s view, even before the reader understands the full meaning of their trip. The story goes through each process of crossing boarders, increasing understanding for young readers of the challenges without creating fear, and showing support and aid to those who need it without creating pity. It sang, this book. Right into my soft spot. That made this book magical for me. I hope it does for others too and encourages others to join in volunteerism and advocacy as well. Highly recommend.

[Alissa Tsaparikos · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the concept and the illustrations of this picture book a lot. However I feel it could have used more context to support the story. I felt a little lost throughout pages until it came to the end where they give the items they bought to refugees. I was disappointed that there was neither a glossary or an author's note at the end to lend to this.

[Ariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book is about a young who goes back and forth between Mexico and the United States. This is a one day trip since they live right on the border between the two states. They have a list of errand to run and things to bring back. The town is a replica of their home town the only difference is that you hear english less. Once they finish with their errand they have one more stop to make before going home. They make sure to say hi to their friends who are seeking asylum and drop of some supplies. A theme in this book is bicultural identity and community. In this book you can see how even though there in a border between these two countries, there is also so many similarities and because of that This picture book tells the story of a young child who travels back and forth between Mexico and the United States. The journey takes place in just one day, as they live right on the border of the two countries. The child has a list of errands to complete and items to bring back home. The town they visit is a replica of their hometown, but one notable difference is that English is spoken less frequently.

After finishing their errands, they have one more important stop to make before heading home. They make sure to say hello to their friends who are seeking asylum and drop off some supplies for them. A central theme in this book is bicultural identity and community. It highlights how, despite the border between the two countries, there are many similarities that lead to a blending of cultures.

Throughout the story, we see the friendliness and kindness of the father and son as they interact with everyone they meet and provide assistance to those in need. I chose this book because I come from an immigrant family, and growing up, I rarely saw or heard anyone discuss my culture or the challenges of navigating two different worlds.

This book is intended for children in pre-K through 3rd grade. In my classroom, I would use this book to introduce students to a new culture. We would discuss the new words featured in the book, exploring their meanings. I would encourage students to identify similarities and differences between the two towns depicted in the story. This would also be an opportunity to humanize migrants, explaining that they are simply families seeking a better future.you see a lot of blended cultures. You also see how friendly and helpful the father and son are talking to everyone they encounter and taking supplies to the people who need it. I chose this book because I come from an immigrant family and growing up I never really heard or saw anyone talk about my culture or how hard it can be to be from two different worlds. This book is intended for pre-K through 3rd grade. I would use this book in my classroom to show a new culture to students. We would talk about the new words that in the book and what they mean. I would ask what they see that is similar and different in these towns. I would take the opportunity to discuss on humanizing migrants and explaining that they are just families coming to a country for a better future.

[Amy Schredl]

In the story “My Two Border Towns,” a young boy and his father wake up early in the morning to travel across the border between the United States and Mexico to run errands and visit family and friends. The boy describes the town in Mexico just like his town in the United States. While in Mexico they have a list of items to accomplish before having to return home that evening. The last stop they make is on the bridge connecting Mexico to the United States. On the bridge the dad pulls over to allow the boy to hop out and climb up to the top of the bridge to find his friend. His friend is a refugee who is not allowed to enter the United States, but it states in the text that Mexico can hardly look over them as well. The boy gives his friend, Elder, toys and items he specifically picked out for him. Then he gives Elder’s mom medicine. After a bit of time, the boy jumps back down the bridge and into his dad’s car. As the border police are searching the car with dogs, the boy tells his dad how he wishes his friend could join them in the United States. The dad tells the boy it will hopefully happen soon. Finally, the boy thinks about the possibility and the time when his friend can come with him and be able to travel between the two towns freely.

This story addresses immigration in two major ways. One way is how the boy and his father go back to their former town in Mexico. While there they visit their favorite restaurants, friends, and family. This shows how the boy and his family must have immigrated to the United States at some point during his life and left his family and friends back in Mexico. The most notable moment of immigration is when the boy stops on the bridge to see his friend, Elder, trying to get into the United States. During their visit the boy talks about how he met Elder six months ago. He also describes how there are multiple families on this bridge trying to get into the United States and just waiting for their time. This example of immigration brings about just one side of a story that many individuals might not be cognizant of. The conditions the families live in are not explicit described or stated, but there is some hints that the conditions are not good because the boy brings Elder’s mom medicine. I can see how this book would be a great mirror for students who might have experienced living on the border. It could also be a mirror in how the boy feels at the end of the story of having hope that his friends will be able to join him at some point in the United States.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book with its interesting illustrations, created with gouache, watercolor, pencil, and digitally, is a 3.5 for me. It prompts reflection about border crossings and the similarities and differences between the two sides of the land between Mexico and the United States as well as some thoughts about activism and advocacy. Each Saturday a father and his son cross that border to visit family members and friends and shop. It's clear that this is a place where they feel right at home since they have favorite dining spots and know several of the individuals they encounter. The boy recognizes that "This town is the twin of the one where I live, / with Spanish spoken everywhere just the same, / but English mostly missing till it pops up / like grains of sugar on a chili pepper" (unpaged). Before they cross the bridge into the United States, the boy visits Elder, a boy whose family is living on the side of the bridge, along with others, hoping to enter the U.S. but unable to do so for various reasons, forgotten by both countries. When he questions why these refugees can't cross over, the boy's father explains that it seems unfair since the U.S. has plenty of room for them but that when the time finally comes for them to do so, they will be welcomed warmly. While I appreciate the sentiment and the frustration of all those refugees seeking shelter, the issue is a bit more complicated than it is portrayed here. This picture book should prompt some discussion about the borders between countries and how much responsibility neighboring nations have for their adjoining countries' citizens or others seeking refuge.

[Lexi Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a story about a little boy that lives on the border or Mexico and the United States. This book is the story of the little boy and his father making trips across the border every other weekend to get things. The items they go get are for their "friends". This boy and his dad get across the border and bring items back to the refugees who can't get across.
This book would be used in my classroom because it does a really good job of explaining in an appropriate way to children the struggle for immigrants and our messed up border system. It can be a confusing subject but this book explains it in a light way for children to understand.
It also bounces back and forth between spanish and english which is also good for children's literacy.

[Danni Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the perspective this book offers on the experience of a parent and child who are able to pass between the towns on either side of the USA/Mexico border and how they engage with and support members of their community who are not able to cross freely. I've read a number of children's books that address immigration and border crossing but none from this specific perspective before, so I really appreciated the uniqueness of that story.

cw: depictions of immigration detainment, cops (not a major focus but they are present in the illustrations)

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice story about a boy and his dad who travel from their border town in the United States to the border town in Mexico. They have family and friends on both sides of the border and enjoy bringing and buying products across the border. In the middle are stateless people that the US and Mexico are refusing to accept as refugees. Great picture book about life on the border of a country and of course US and Mexico.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly elegant picture book depiction of a point on the U.S./Mexico border.

Includes a boy and his father doing perfectly ordinary errands during their daytrip to Mexico. At the same time this manages to address that the border has not always been in the same place, and also specifically highlights the difficulties of the people who are unable to fully cross into either country and who essentially live at the border.

A solid sprinkling of Spanish words throughout. No end notes.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touching and timely story about immigration. Told through a child's eyes, this tale has a message of empathy and shows the plight of refugees, without going into too much detail. My child was left with many questions, but the book was a good conversation starter.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book and definitely has it's place. It'll help build empathy.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good look at kids between two cultures and refugees that are stuck “in between” places.

[Mary Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pairs well with VAMOS! LET'S CROSS THE BRIDGE and BRIGHT STAR for compare/contrast. This one has social action and empathy mixed in.

[Amanda Laurinec · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows a little boy and his dad as they cross the border to go see family and run to all of their favorite places. The boy notices that not everyone can cross the border as they can and is saddened by the fact that his friends can not join him. The boy also helps drop off needed materials to those who were not as fortunate to cross. I enjoy this book and think it could be used in my classroom because it shows the struggle some families may face and also has parts written in Spanish.

[Maria Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found a mirror book!

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture books have depth and simplicity at the same time. What isn't communicated with words offer discussion from the illustrations. In this picture book, the illustrations are gorgeous.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Two Border Towns is an absolutely beautiful story...in sentiment, prose, & art. A must-have picture book to talk about family, community, kindness, empathy, helping others, & yes, policies, using a lens of humanity to see what's really happening with immigration in border towns from the perspective of a child with community on both sides of the map line. Teachers & Librarians: Pre-order this now!

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super solid mirror/window text about life in a Texas border town and its sister city across the border. Emphasizes sharing, kindness, and friendship, but also clearly defines passports. Very accessible vision of a complex topic, (or at least adults make it complex). A natural match to Last Stop on Market Street. Superb.

Oh, and 500 stars for including the guy who gets around on a wheeled board in the market scene in Mexico.