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ChupaCarter #1
ChupaCarter
With his signature laugh-out-loud humor, world-famous comedian George Lopez launches a fantastical middle grade series inspired by his own colorful childhood and Latinx folklore.
In this illustrated contemporary fantasy, twelve-year-old Jorge is lonely and resentful after being sent to live with his grandparents. His first day at his new school doesn't go well after catching the attention of his belligerent principal and the school bullies, so Jorge might be a little desperate for a friend.
But the only kid who shares his interest in junk food and games turns out to be a young chupacabra--a legendary monster whose kind is known for being bloodthirsty livestock killers. The truth is, Carter is anything but savage--he's kind, a good listener, and has great taste in sneakers. Being friends with a mythical creature should be amazing, but when local cattle turn up dead and his principal suspects the truth, Jorge is torn. Should he trust that his friend is innocent and protect him from exposure, or reveal his dangerous existence and change the world forever?
In this illustrated contemporary fantasy, twelve-year-old Jorge is lonely and resentful after being sent to live with his grandparents. His first day at his new school doesn't go well after catching the attention of his belligerent principal and the school bullies, so Jorge might be a little desperate for a friend.
But the only kid who shares his interest in junk food and games turns out to be a young chupacabra--a legendary monster whose kind is known for being bloodthirsty livestock killers. The truth is, Carter is anything but savage--he's kind, a good listener, and has great taste in sneakers. Being friends with a mythical creature should be amazing, but when local cattle turn up dead and his principal suspects the truth, Jorge is torn. Should he trust that his friend is innocent and protect him from exposure, or reveal his dangerous existence and change the world forever?
272 pages, Hardcover
First published August 30, 2022
14 people are currently reading
2009 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
July 8, 2023
This was so cute!
July 30, 2023
I did not like this book probably due to the fact that it is meant for younger kids, but I do think that it shares a good message for younger kids, which is be kind George Lopez better make this into a movie I think you could easily make it into a kids movie. I would recommend getting together with nickelodeon studios, who is also produced many other little kids, movies, and having a brainstorm session about what to do because I think it is cinematic material
March 31, 2024
If MG novels are your thing, you absolutely must check out “Chapacarter.” If you read it, you will know what I mean.
In this book, we meet twelve-year-old Jorge. He is down and out with the blues. His mother is making him live with his grandparents even though he does not want to do this. He hates that he and his mother move around a lot. He starts a new school and has to deal with bullies and a nasty principal.
One night, Jorge finds a mysterious creature hanging around outside. He looks like some kind of monster. At first, Jorge is afraid of the thing, but he has a change of heart after the thing jumps in front of Jorge’s principal’s car when it was about to run over Jorge. Chupacarter is a chupacabra. They are animals that hang around various parts of the country that appear to be scary looking even though they are perfectly harmless. There are many chupacabras like him that wander around the area. Somehow, Chupacarter got separated from them. This has to do with these really scary creatures called Dips who hunt Chupacabras.
Jorge and Chupacarter become very close friends and confide in each other when it comes to stuff going on in their lives. Jorge is very happy to have a friend that he feels he can talk to about anything after dealing with all the challenges he has been facing.
There are some serious issues for Jorge and Chupacarter. Jorge’s nasty principal loves hunting animals and tries to add Chupacarter to his list of animals that he has hunted. (He keeps animal heads and furs in his office.) Also, Dips are going around and killing animals. Another thing is that people tend to assume that Chupacabras are the ones going around and killing animals. The dips want to go after Chupacarter as well. Here is another real problem. The people who live in Jorge’s New Mexican town think that the chupacabras are the ones causing all this chaos. How are Chupacarter and Jorge going to deal with this? As it turns out, their close friendship will be the thing that helps them the most.
This book was by far my favorite MG book of all time. I found this book very heartwarming. I like how Jorge and Chupacarter came together to deal with their problems and had such a strong bond. I found the story to be absolutely fascinating and just really enjoyed it. What I liked most about this absolutely amazing book was that it was really funny. Also, the book had lots of Spanish in it that I really liked. I used to study Spanish, so I got a kick out of this book. Get yourself a copy.
In this book, we meet twelve-year-old Jorge. He is down and out with the blues. His mother is making him live with his grandparents even though he does not want to do this. He hates that he and his mother move around a lot. He starts a new school and has to deal with bullies and a nasty principal.
One night, Jorge finds a mysterious creature hanging around outside. He looks like some kind of monster. At first, Jorge is afraid of the thing, but he has a change of heart after the thing jumps in front of Jorge’s principal’s car when it was about to run over Jorge. Chupacarter is a chupacabra. They are animals that hang around various parts of the country that appear to be scary looking even though they are perfectly harmless. There are many chupacabras like him that wander around the area. Somehow, Chupacarter got separated from them. This has to do with these really scary creatures called Dips who hunt Chupacabras.
Jorge and Chupacarter become very close friends and confide in each other when it comes to stuff going on in their lives. Jorge is very happy to have a friend that he feels he can talk to about anything after dealing with all the challenges he has been facing.
There are some serious issues for Jorge and Chupacarter. Jorge’s nasty principal loves hunting animals and tries to add Chupacarter to his list of animals that he has hunted. (He keeps animal heads and furs in his office.) Also, Dips are going around and killing animals. Another thing is that people tend to assume that Chupacabras are the ones going around and killing animals. The dips want to go after Chupacarter as well. Here is another real problem. The people who live in Jorge’s New Mexican town think that the chupacabras are the ones causing all this chaos. How are Chupacarter and Jorge going to deal with this? As it turns out, their close friendship will be the thing that helps them the most.
This book was by far my favorite MG book of all time. I found this book very heartwarming. I like how Jorge and Chupacarter came together to deal with their problems and had such a strong bond. I found the story to be absolutely fascinating and just really enjoyed it. What I liked most about this absolutely amazing book was that it was really funny. Also, the book had lots of Spanish in it that I really liked. I used to study Spanish, so I got a kick out of this book. Get yourself a copy.
December 7, 2022
Thank you George Lopez and the amazing street team that gave me this opportunity to review, Chupacarter by George Lopez. This book is a middle grade book (that’s going to be a series) about a Chupacabra that’s not the stereotypical bloodthirsty monster who goes after the innocent. It’s a male lead story (something quite rare that I’ve seen) and includes bilingual dialogue! 4/5 stars, highly recommend everyone to read this book!
November 17, 2022
After Jorge is kicked out of school for defending himself against a bully, his mom sends him from L.A. to New Mexico to live with his Abuelos on their desolate former farm. Jorge hates being sent away and that he has to attend a new private school, he's worried about standing out among the other students. As Jorge laments over his current situation on the roof of his Abuelos house, he encounters a Chupacabra named Carter. At first, Jorge is scared of Carter but when Carter goes out of his way to save Jorge's life, they quickly become friends. As Jorge gets to know Carter better, he learns that Carter was separated from his family and Jorge vows to help him find them. Things become complicated when several animals are mysteriously killed and Jorge's principal, a big game trophy hunter suspects a Chupacabra and goes on a hunt to kill it.
I must admit that I knew very little about the legendary Chupacabra or the Guachapos before reading ChupaCarter, but now having read the story their vampirism and sucking of blood is quite frightening. I loved how the story included lots of Spanish words and phrases and that their meaning was easy to understand by using the context clues. I also really liked Jorge and felt he was a very complex character. He tries to do the right thing by protecting kids he sees being bullied, but often his mouth or quick witty comebacks during these situations landed him in more trouble. I understood his anger at his mom for being sent to his grandparents, but also appreciated that he learned that his move might not have been the punishment that he initially thought. Truthfully, Jorge's growth during the story and his friendship with Carter were two of my favorite things in the whole book. The way that Carter rubbed off on Jorge and the changes that Jorge instilled in Carter, just goes to show the influence that our friends have on us. Chupacarter is a very thought-provoking story, encouraging the reader to think about animal rights and the cons of trophy hunting, racism, bullying while emphasizing the importance of standing up for the things we believe in.
The story also includes a lot of comedic humor in the author, George Lopez's style, to the point that I could almost hear his voice shining through. The illustrations by Santy Gutiérrez beautifully captured the two main characters and added to the humor as well. They're fun and will capture the reader's attention. Although all of the illustrations in my ARC weren't complete yet, it was so much fun to read the little captions with suggestions for the illustrations that are yet to come. Can't wait to see the finished book. A huge thank you to Rockstar Book Tours, Ryan Calejo and Viking Books for Young Readers for the E-book for my review.
I must admit that I knew very little about the legendary Chupacabra or the Guachapos before reading ChupaCarter, but now having read the story their vampirism and sucking of blood is quite frightening. I loved how the story included lots of Spanish words and phrases and that their meaning was easy to understand by using the context clues. I also really liked Jorge and felt he was a very complex character. He tries to do the right thing by protecting kids he sees being bullied, but often his mouth or quick witty comebacks during these situations landed him in more trouble. I understood his anger at his mom for being sent to his grandparents, but also appreciated that he learned that his move might not have been the punishment that he initially thought. Truthfully, Jorge's growth during the story and his friendship with Carter were two of my favorite things in the whole book. The way that Carter rubbed off on Jorge and the changes that Jorge instilled in Carter, just goes to show the influence that our friends have on us. Chupacarter is a very thought-provoking story, encouraging the reader to think about animal rights and the cons of trophy hunting, racism, bullying while emphasizing the importance of standing up for the things we believe in.
The story also includes a lot of comedic humor in the author, George Lopez's style, to the point that I could almost hear his voice shining through. The illustrations by Santy Gutiérrez beautifully captured the two main characters and added to the humor as well. They're fun and will capture the reader's attention. Although all of the illustrations in my ARC weren't complete yet, it was so much fun to read the little captions with suggestions for the illustrations that are yet to come. Can't wait to see the finished book. A huge thank you to Rockstar Book Tours, Ryan Calejo and Viking Books for Young Readers for the E-book for my review.
April 23, 2023
Wonderful story for middle schoolers!
September 1, 2022
What worked:
I can’t say I’ve seen many, if any, books where the mythical Chupacabra is an actual character. Carter is lurking near the home of Jorge’s grandparents, out in the middle of nowhere, and his reason for being there is revealed later in the plot. However, Carter’s not what readers might expect. He has a need to drink blood but he’s not a blood-thirsty monster. Despite being seven feet tall, the creature wears a tank top, shorts, and Converse high-top tennis shoes. He’s mischievous with a sense of humor and Jorge finds it easy to become friends. This friendship between two unlikely characters is a highlight of the book.
Jorge struggles with emotional issues and experiences fits of anger. He admits that his sassy mouth often gets him into trouble and it contributes to being kicked out of school. His mother dumps him with his grandparents on a barren farm in New Mexico, so Jorge feels abandoned. His abuela is not a sweet, understanding, supportive granny so his new home life presents additional stress. School is no better as Jorge’s temper pits him against a gang of older bullies and lands him in front of an intimidating principal. The man has traveled the world hunting big game and his office walls are covered with mounted heads of animals he’s killed. The principal says he’ll be lurking and hunting Carter for any little future infractions so Jorge finds little comfort at school. It’s not a far stretch to predict the principal will eventually pick up Carter’s trail. The author offers the principal as an effective antagonist but other creatures are introduced later.
The author includes Spanish vocabulary and it’s integrated well throughout the plot. This is mostly done using words and phrases although there are some short sentences. Readers can use context from events to understand the meanings so the words don’t pose a problem or distract from the story. Monstruo, amigo, este bien, hombre, and other Spanish terms are either defined or can be figured out. The vocabulary adds authenticity to the story’s culture without fully immersing the language in a way that might overwhelm young readers.
What didn’t work as well:
The resolution leaves questions about what happens to the evil perro and ChupaCarter. There’s a strong inference regarding what happens to ChupaCarter but it would be nice to have something more definitive tying Jorge and ChupaCarter together. There are implications a sequel might be on the way but I don’t know if that’s actually in the plans.
The Final Verdict:
Young readers will enjoy ChupaCarter’s friendly, mischievous personality and his ferocity when defending his good friend Jorge. The highly entertaining story is a mixture of adventure, drama, and humor and it touches on Jorge’s conflicted feelings about home. I recommend you give it a shot, especially if you like monsters and fun.
I can’t say I’ve seen many, if any, books where the mythical Chupacabra is an actual character. Carter is lurking near the home of Jorge’s grandparents, out in the middle of nowhere, and his reason for being there is revealed later in the plot. However, Carter’s not what readers might expect. He has a need to drink blood but he’s not a blood-thirsty monster. Despite being seven feet tall, the creature wears a tank top, shorts, and Converse high-top tennis shoes. He’s mischievous with a sense of humor and Jorge finds it easy to become friends. This friendship between two unlikely characters is a highlight of the book.
Jorge struggles with emotional issues and experiences fits of anger. He admits that his sassy mouth often gets him into trouble and it contributes to being kicked out of school. His mother dumps him with his grandparents on a barren farm in New Mexico, so Jorge feels abandoned. His abuela is not a sweet, understanding, supportive granny so his new home life presents additional stress. School is no better as Jorge’s temper pits him against a gang of older bullies and lands him in front of an intimidating principal. The man has traveled the world hunting big game and his office walls are covered with mounted heads of animals he’s killed. The principal says he’ll be lurking and hunting Carter for any little future infractions so Jorge finds little comfort at school. It’s not a far stretch to predict the principal will eventually pick up Carter’s trail. The author offers the principal as an effective antagonist but other creatures are introduced later.
The author includes Spanish vocabulary and it’s integrated well throughout the plot. This is mostly done using words and phrases although there are some short sentences. Readers can use context from events to understand the meanings so the words don’t pose a problem or distract from the story. Monstruo, amigo, este bien, hombre, and other Spanish terms are either defined or can be figured out. The vocabulary adds authenticity to the story’s culture without fully immersing the language in a way that might overwhelm young readers.
What didn’t work as well:
The resolution leaves questions about what happens to the evil perro and ChupaCarter. There’s a strong inference regarding what happens to ChupaCarter but it would be nice to have something more definitive tying Jorge and ChupaCarter together. There are implications a sequel might be on the way but I don’t know if that’s actually in the plans.
The Final Verdict:
Young readers will enjoy ChupaCarter’s friendly, mischievous personality and his ferocity when defending his good friend Jorge. The highly entertaining story is a mixture of adventure, drama, and humor and it touches on Jorge’s conflicted feelings about home. I recommend you give it a shot, especially if you like monsters and fun.
June 16, 2023
The delightful debut novel for authors George Lopez’s & Ryan Calejo’s middle-grade fantasy adventure series, ChupaCarter!
ChupaCarter is a delightful middle-grade fantasy chapter book from the multi-talented George Lopez and co-writer Ryan Calejo. The book debuts the series about the friendship between twelve-year-old Jorge and Carter, the young chupacabra who was accidentally separated from his family.
The main character, Jorge, has been an angry, frightened, and worried child for some time. His father is not in the picture, and his mother is foundering as she tries to keep body and soul together as a single parent. Jorge has been acting out in school, and his quick wit and fast mouth have gotten him into trouble. This is all too much for his mother, and her solution to send him to live with his grandparents feels like a huge betrayal to the boy. It is a wonderful moment when Carter gives Jorge a new perspective on her motives. Both benefit from their relationship as they learn that it is only how THEY see themselves that matters, not how others do.The story is fast-paced, with fun moments, sparkling dialogue, and tense situations. Readers with a Spanish language background will enjoy the natural mix of English and Spanish throughout the text. And readers learning Spanish or English may be able to hone their reading and comprehension in a light and entertaining way. The witty exchanges between characters and Carter’s incomplete understanding of common idioms and phrases are sure to generate a smile or two, as will Jorge dodging his abuela’s chancla.
I am happy to recommend CHUPACARTER to upper-elementary and middle-school readers.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.
August 12, 2024
I don’t mind books that feature other languages, as long as there is an English translation of what was said. I don’t think that that is too much to ask. This book features not just words, but entire sentences in Spanish…with zero explanation, and I found that very frustrating.
Also…I hate stories in which there are no consequences for the bullies. Jorge, Liz, and Ernie are bullied at school…and nothing is done about it. Because the principal is the biggest bully of all. He shoots Jorge in the arm with a rattlesnake venom-tipped arrow…and gets away with it!
Ugh.
Also…I hate stories in which there are no consequences for the bullies. Jorge, Liz, and Ernie are bullied at school…and nothing is done about it. Because the principal is the biggest bully of all. He shoots Jorge in the arm with a rattlesnake venom-tipped arrow…and gets away with it!
Ugh.
June 12, 2023
You can read my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
Overall
The moment I saw that George Lopez and Ryan Calejo were teaming up to write a middle grade book, I immediately knew I had to read it, whatever it was about. I confess that I was a huuuge fan of The George Lopez Show when it was on TV, and I’ve enjoyed Lopez’s standup for years. If you asked me who would make a dynamic duo with George Lopez for a comedy middle grade book focused on Latinx characters, the first name to pop in my head would be Ryan Calejo, whose Charlie Hernández series I read last year and really enjoyed. So imagine my surprise when I found out that’s exactly what would be happening! AND it would be a book featuring a Chupacabra. Obviously, this thing was written just for me, and I appreciate it.
ChupaCarter is a hilarious, heartwarming middle grade fantasy about family and friendship, with a Mexican protagonist, Latinx folklore, lovable characters, and, best of all, Chupacabras!
This book was a ton of fun! Not only do I love the focus on a Mexican character and folklore, but I enjoyed the inclusion of Spanish words and phrases (especially in a way where context makes it clear what it means). Despite being a funny story, Lopez and Calejo also manage to take on some hard subjects, like non-traditional family structures and poverty. By the time I got to the end, I just wanted more, so I was thrilled to see that there actually is a sequel that was just released, so I’ll definitely be checking that out!
My Thoughts
- If you’re at all familiar with George Lopez’s voice and comedy, you’ll easily recognize it in the narrative voice and the way Jorge talks. I guess this is a bad thing if you don’t like George Lopez? But if that’s the case . . . why are you even here? Shoo! This book isn’t for you. The narrative style has Lopez’s signature on-the-nose, dry observational humor, which I love. It’s punchy and sucked me right in, making this a very fast, easy read that I didn’t want to put down. Plus, it’s freaking relatable, even if you’ve never been in Jorge’s position yourself, because it sounds like Jorge is talking right to you and telling you his story. There's even an Easter egg reference to Lopez's show, but you'll just have to read closely to find it, since I won't say any more than that. ;)
- Meet Jorge, whose mother has dropped him off to stay with his grandparents (read: abandoned, as far as Jorge is concerned), who is forced to start at a new school (again) in a place he’s determined to hate. When you move as often as Jorge has, though, it’s hard to fall in love with a place. I mean, you’re just asking for heartbreak at that point. So his original dislike for New Mexico is understandable, especially coming from LA. From the start, Jorge’s determined that he’s absolutely going to hate living with his grandparents and everything about it. His grandparents, on the other hand, are having none of it. Abuela is obviously the fierce matriarch, and is taking absolutely no nonsense. Abuelo is a little more understanding and patient, but is also not going easy on Jorge either, in his own way. I loved both of their characters, and I hope to see more of them in future ChupaCarter adventures!
- Despite having a more humorous and over-the-top nature, ChupaCarter also manages to tackle some pretty heavy subjects, even if just in passing, that will definitely tug on reader’s heartstrings. These are pretty varied, and while a whole slew of time isn’t given to each one, they do the trick in-between all the light-hearted bits. Like the reminder that while Jorge may not enjoy school, at least he has a choice in going and setting up his future—a luxury that his grandparents didn’t have. Or the fact that his mother leaving him with his grandparents doesn’t mean she doesn’t love him or isn’t looking out for his best interests. There are a lot of small, heartfelt moments that readers may find super relatable, for various reasons. If not relatable, they can certainly be an eye-opener to different experiences that people go through in life.
- Jorge isn’t alone in this little adventure/personal journey, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention his little squad, including two humans and, yes, a Chupacabra. Which, by the by, I absolutely want a Chupacabra best friend and I’m low-key mad that it wasn’t a part of my childhood. Or my adulthood. FYI, a Chupacabra isn’t quite what you think. Okay, fair, it’s a blood-sucking creature, sure, but Carter defies expectations by not being a monster, despite the fact that’s what people think of him. Judging someone before you even meet them isn’t fair, okay? He can’t help the hurtful stereotype of Chupacabras that humans have. Being Mexican American, Jorge knows a bit what that’s like.
Jorge is also joined by Liza and Ernie, who are a bit like him in terms of their loner status . . . except not quite, because of course they’re different people. Liza is super smart and an animal rights activist, and Ernie is kind of a geek (which I say with love). While the two don’t add a whole lot to the adventure this time and are kind of relegated to the background, I enjoyed their uniqueness, and I hope they’ll also make a reappearance in further adventures!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
Overall
The moment I saw that George Lopez and Ryan Calejo were teaming up to write a middle grade book, I immediately knew I had to read it, whatever it was about. I confess that I was a huuuge fan of The George Lopez Show when it was on TV, and I’ve enjoyed Lopez’s standup for years. If you asked me who would make a dynamic duo with George Lopez for a comedy middle grade book focused on Latinx characters, the first name to pop in my head would be Ryan Calejo, whose Charlie Hernández series I read last year and really enjoyed. So imagine my surprise when I found out that’s exactly what would be happening! AND it would be a book featuring a Chupacabra. Obviously, this thing was written just for me, and I appreciate it.
ChupaCarter is a hilarious, heartwarming middle grade fantasy about family and friendship, with a Mexican protagonist, Latinx folklore, lovable characters, and, best of all, Chupacabras!
This book was a ton of fun! Not only do I love the focus on a Mexican character and folklore, but I enjoyed the inclusion of Spanish words and phrases (especially in a way where context makes it clear what it means). Despite being a funny story, Lopez and Calejo also manage to take on some hard subjects, like non-traditional family structures and poverty. By the time I got to the end, I just wanted more, so I was thrilled to see that there actually is a sequel that was just released, so I’ll definitely be checking that out!
My Thoughts
- If you’re at all familiar with George Lopez’s voice and comedy, you’ll easily recognize it in the narrative voice and the way Jorge talks. I guess this is a bad thing if you don’t like George Lopez? But if that’s the case . . . why are you even here? Shoo! This book isn’t for you. The narrative style has Lopez’s signature on-the-nose, dry observational humor, which I love. It’s punchy and sucked me right in, making this a very fast, easy read that I didn’t want to put down. Plus, it’s freaking relatable, even if you’ve never been in Jorge’s position yourself, because it sounds like Jorge is talking right to you and telling you his story. There's even an Easter egg reference to Lopez's show, but you'll just have to read closely to find it, since I won't say any more than that. ;)
- Meet Jorge, whose mother has dropped him off to stay with his grandparents (read: abandoned, as far as Jorge is concerned), who is forced to start at a new school (again) in a place he’s determined to hate. When you move as often as Jorge has, though, it’s hard to fall in love with a place. I mean, you’re just asking for heartbreak at that point. So his original dislike for New Mexico is understandable, especially coming from LA. From the start, Jorge’s determined that he’s absolutely going to hate living with his grandparents and everything about it. His grandparents, on the other hand, are having none of it. Abuela is obviously the fierce matriarch, and is taking absolutely no nonsense. Abuelo is a little more understanding and patient, but is also not going easy on Jorge either, in his own way. I loved both of their characters, and I hope to see more of them in future ChupaCarter adventures!
- Despite having a more humorous and over-the-top nature, ChupaCarter also manages to tackle some pretty heavy subjects, even if just in passing, that will definitely tug on reader’s heartstrings. These are pretty varied, and while a whole slew of time isn’t given to each one, they do the trick in-between all the light-hearted bits. Like the reminder that while Jorge may not enjoy school, at least he has a choice in going and setting up his future—a luxury that his grandparents didn’t have. Or the fact that his mother leaving him with his grandparents doesn’t mean she doesn’t love him or isn’t looking out for his best interests. There are a lot of small, heartfelt moments that readers may find super relatable, for various reasons. If not relatable, they can certainly be an eye-opener to different experiences that people go through in life.
- Jorge isn’t alone in this little adventure/personal journey, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention his little squad, including two humans and, yes, a Chupacabra. Which, by the by, I absolutely want a Chupacabra best friend and I’m low-key mad that it wasn’t a part of my childhood. Or my adulthood. FYI, a Chupacabra isn’t quite what you think. Okay, fair, it’s a blood-sucking creature, sure, but Carter defies expectations by not being a monster, despite the fact that’s what people think of him. Judging someone before you even meet them isn’t fair, okay? He can’t help the hurtful stereotype of Chupacabras that humans have. Being Mexican American, Jorge knows a bit what that’s like.
Jorge is also joined by Liza and Ernie, who are a bit like him in terms of their loner status . . . except not quite, because of course they’re different people. Liza is super smart and an animal rights activist, and Ernie is kind of a geek (which I say with love). While the two don’t add a whole lot to the adventure this time and are kind of relegated to the background, I enjoyed their uniqueness, and I hope they’ll also make a reappearance in further adventures!
January 20, 2023
Georgie never wanted to live with his grandparents on their farm in Boca Falls, New Mexico. All his friends, his Little League team, and his whole life were back in LA. After getting in trouble one too many times at school, his mother tells him she is going to send him to live with his grandparents for a while as she sorts things out. Everything is boring in Boca Falls. His school is called a "Preparatory Academy for Excellence and Learning” and is full of bullies and an extremely mean principal. One day, Georgie meets a chupacabra, a creature he has only heard of as a monster. The chupacabra named Carter is nothing like how Georgie has heard chupacabras described. He's kind, funny, and an awesome friend to Georgie. Over time, Georgie and Carter become even closer friends, but when strange things start to happen around town, Georgie must make the final call of whether he can trust his friends or not.
Opinion:
I really loved reading this book! The first thing I liked was that this book was very funny. There were many scenes such as when Georgie first encounters the bullies in his school that made me laugh out loud! I also loved the authors writing style. It very much felt like I was looking at the world through the lens of a 12-year-old boy. Another thing I liked about this story is how the pacing moved quickly. Within the first few chapters, we learned Georgie's backstory, explored his new school, and met Carter. I think the fast pacing made the story more interesting to me as no scene felt dragged out or boring. I enjoyed looking at the black and white drawn images as it was funny to see drawings of some of the scenes. It also helped me visualize the scenes and characters. For example, seeing the drawing of Carter helped me understand what a chupacabra looked like! Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun read!
Opinion:
I really loved reading this book! The first thing I liked was that this book was very funny. There were many scenes such as when Georgie first encounters the bullies in his school that made me laugh out loud! I also loved the authors writing style. It very much felt like I was looking at the world through the lens of a 12-year-old boy. Another thing I liked about this story is how the pacing moved quickly. Within the first few chapters, we learned Georgie's backstory, explored his new school, and met Carter. I think the fast pacing made the story more interesting to me as no scene felt dragged out or boring. I enjoyed looking at the black and white drawn images as it was funny to see drawings of some of the scenes. It also helped me visualize the scenes and characters. For example, seeing the drawing of Carter helped me understand what a chupacabra looked like! Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun read!
November 6, 2022
ChupaCarter was such a cute book!
I have never read a story where the Chupacabra was a full fledge character - this was great way to introduce the folklore to children in a not-so-scary way. I've not read it with my children yet, as I wanted to read it myself first, but I cannot wait to do so. I feel it would be a fun story for children of any age, including adults.
ChupaCarter would be a fun way to introduce your children to the Latino culture/folklore. There is a mix of Spanish and English words that readers can use context clues to understand the meanings (so the words don’t pose a problem or distract from the story), in addition to the Chupacabra myth and Latino foods.
I could not but help read this in the voice of George Lopez. The dialogue is very him and has buckets of his signature humor.
ChupaCarter isn't all humor though. Lopez and Calejo touch on some rather poignant topics. Animal rights, bullying, single parenting, and most definitely racism.. just to name a few. The way these things are written into the story make it easy for children to connect with, regardless of their situation. There were points in the story where I'd turn to my husband as just say "wow, that was kind of sad," I'm glad the book wasn't all humor and that children have the opportunity to learn something profound when they pick up this fantastic read.
The illustrations are really fun! I enjoyed how they tied into the story and how much they actually added to the story. I've also found that chapter books with illustrations throughout actually hold my 9-year old's attention better - bonus!!
You can read my full review, and others like it, at bookswithachance.com
I have never read a story where the Chupacabra was a full fledge character - this was great way to introduce the folklore to children in a not-so-scary way. I've not read it with my children yet, as I wanted to read it myself first, but I cannot wait to do so. I feel it would be a fun story for children of any age, including adults.
ChupaCarter would be a fun way to introduce your children to the Latino culture/folklore. There is a mix of Spanish and English words that readers can use context clues to understand the meanings (so the words don’t pose a problem or distract from the story), in addition to the Chupacabra myth and Latino foods.
I could not but help read this in the voice of George Lopez. The dialogue is very him and has buckets of his signature humor.
ChupaCarter isn't all humor though. Lopez and Calejo touch on some rather poignant topics. Animal rights, bullying, single parenting, and most definitely racism.. just to name a few. The way these things are written into the story make it easy for children to connect with, regardless of their situation. There were points in the story where I'd turn to my husband as just say "wow, that was kind of sad," I'm glad the book wasn't all humor and that children have the opportunity to learn something profound when they pick up this fantastic read.
The illustrations are really fun! I enjoyed how they tied into the story and how much they actually added to the story. I've also found that chapter books with illustrations throughout actually hold my 9-year old's attention better - bonus!!
You can read my full review, and others like it, at bookswithachance.com
November 13, 2022
Super fun, entertaining, and cute read. This has the humor in it that George Lopez is famous for and a fun, different take on the Chupacabra legend with this story.
This is a great introduction and exposure to Latino culture and folklore with Spanish in there as well. It's about a middle grader named Jorge who's sent to live with his grandparents and while he's living with them, he meets Carter, who's a Chupacabra that was a middle-grade boy who was bitten and turned. Jorge tries to help Carter to find his family that Carter got separated from and finds his own place with his grandparents, fitting in and liking it living with his grandparents and meeting new friends. There are some topics touched on and discussed that are a bit more serious throughout the book like racism, bullying, single parenting and such. While it's very fun, with lots of humor and all, it's also real like life. It was a very enjoyable and quick read with some good morals and lessons in it too.
I would recommend it for middle-grade readers and those who are fans of George Lopez as well. Thanks so much to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, Viking Books for Young Readers for letting me read and review this fun story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a great introduction and exposure to Latino culture and folklore with Spanish in there as well. It's about a middle grader named Jorge who's sent to live with his grandparents and while he's living with them, he meets Carter, who's a Chupacabra that was a middle-grade boy who was bitten and turned. Jorge tries to help Carter to find his family that Carter got separated from and finds his own place with his grandparents, fitting in and liking it living with his grandparents and meeting new friends. There are some topics touched on and discussed that are a bit more serious throughout the book like racism, bullying, single parenting and such. While it's very fun, with lots of humor and all, it's also real like life. It was a very enjoyable and quick read with some good morals and lessons in it too.
I would recommend it for middle-grade readers and those who are fans of George Lopez as well. Thanks so much to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, Viking Books for Young Readers for letting me read and review this fun story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 12, 2023
The first book in the ChupaCarter #MG series by @georgelopez @ryancalejo @santygutierrez_art
Loved this story about a boy and a ChupaCabra! They develop a true friendship based on honesty and love. Throughout their escapades they each learn what it means to be family and that people may leave but those who are true, will come back. Lots of humor and I loved the illustrations throughout. Can't wait to read the second one!
Twelve-year-old Jorge is lonely and resentful after being sent to live with his grandparents. His first day at his new school doesn’t go well after catching the attention of his belligerent principal and the school bullies, so Jorge might be a little desperate for a friend.
But the only kid who shares his interest in junk food and games turns out to be a young chupacabra—a legendary monster whose kind is known for being bloodthirsty livestock killers. The truth is, Carter is anything but savage—he's kind, a good listener, and has great taste in sneakers. Being friends with a mythical creature should be amazing, but when local cattle turn up dead and his principal suspects the truth, Jorge is torn. Should he trust that his friend is innocent and protect him from exposure, or reveal his dangerous existence and change the world forever?
Loved this story about a boy and a ChupaCabra! They develop a true friendship based on honesty and love. Throughout their escapades they each learn what it means to be family and that people may leave but those who are true, will come back. Lots of humor and I loved the illustrations throughout. Can't wait to read the second one!
Twelve-year-old Jorge is lonely and resentful after being sent to live with his grandparents. His first day at his new school doesn’t go well after catching the attention of his belligerent principal and the school bullies, so Jorge might be a little desperate for a friend.
But the only kid who shares his interest in junk food and games turns out to be a young chupacabra—a legendary monster whose kind is known for being bloodthirsty livestock killers. The truth is, Carter is anything but savage—he's kind, a good listener, and has great taste in sneakers. Being friends with a mythical creature should be amazing, but when local cattle turn up dead and his principal suspects the truth, Jorge is torn. Should he trust that his friend is innocent and protect him from exposure, or reveal his dangerous existence and change the world forever?
September 9, 2022
#GoodreadsGiveaway
I won this from a giveaway on goodreads and was sooo excited to receive it only a few days later in the mail. This was such a fun and quick read. I love middle grade and I love George Lopez and when I found out he wrote a middle grade book I knew I wanted to read it. This book is full of a lot of humor I expect from him and friendship which is a huge reason why I love middle grade.
This is a story about a boy named Jorge who meets and befriends a Chupacabra named Carter after he is sent to live with his grandparents by his mom. They are on a mission to help him find his family who he got separated from. Jorge also finds other new friends and realizes just how much he likes living with his grandparents. He also has some intense moments with his principal who is a big game hunter and wants to hunt Carter so he can have him as a prize.
I definitely recommend this for the Fall and Halloween time since it takes place then. But you can read it anytime and get so much enjoyment from it anytime of the year.
I won this from a giveaway on goodreads and was sooo excited to receive it only a few days later in the mail. This was such a fun and quick read. I love middle grade and I love George Lopez and when I found out he wrote a middle grade book I knew I wanted to read it. This book is full of a lot of humor I expect from him and friendship which is a huge reason why I love middle grade.
This is a story about a boy named Jorge who meets and befriends a Chupacabra named Carter after he is sent to live with his grandparents by his mom. They are on a mission to help him find his family who he got separated from. Jorge also finds other new friends and realizes just how much he likes living with his grandparents. He also has some intense moments with his principal who is a big game hunter and wants to hunt Carter so he can have him as a prize.
I definitely recommend this for the Fall and Halloween time since it takes place then. But you can read it anytime and get so much enjoyment from it anytime of the year.
November 13, 2022
ChupaCarter is the beginning of the new series by the same name by by authors George Lopez and Ryan Calejo. I thought it was a fun and entertaining book to read. It was funny at times that had me laughing out loud, but was expecting it to be funnier than it was. However, it was a delight to read and enjoyed reading it.
ChupaCarter is illustrated by the talented artist Santy Gutierrez. Their pictures are a wonderful addition to the story and gives a perfect visual as to what is going on. They were great to bring the tale to life.
I am giving ChupaCarter four and a half stars. Readers between the ages of eight and twelve years old and enjoys reading fantasy will want to give this one a try. I look forward to the next book from the ChupaCarter series, ChupaCarter and the Haunted Piñata, to see what happens next.
I received a digital copy of ChupaCarter from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
ChupaCarter is illustrated by the talented artist Santy Gutierrez. Their pictures are a wonderful addition to the story and gives a perfect visual as to what is going on. They were great to bring the tale to life.
I am giving ChupaCarter four and a half stars. Readers between the ages of eight and twelve years old and enjoys reading fantasy will want to give this one a try. I look forward to the next book from the ChupaCarter series, ChupaCarter and the Haunted Piñata, to see what happens next.
I received a digital copy of ChupaCarter from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
March 19, 2023
Get on board the fun bus because this entertaining middle grade has action and humor along with a fun cast of characters including Carter, the chupacabra and Jorge, the human kid who stumbles upon him after being dropped off to his grandparents to live for a while while his mom sorts out some things. But he's having a rough go of it already because the kids are unkind and downright racist and his grandparents, while caring certainly don't feel like home either.
There are illustrations on almost every other page to add goofiness to chupacabra friend who likes to eat and drink and is a lot taller and weirder looking that Jorge with his fangs and extra long legs in Converse sneakers.
But there's a pack of vampire dogs that are wreaking havoc on the local cattle population and what separated Carter from his family, so Jorge and his friends need to figure out how to sneak Carter back out under the guise of Halloween.
It was a lot of fun.
There are illustrations on almost every other page to add goofiness to chupacabra friend who likes to eat and drink and is a lot taller and weirder looking that Jorge with his fangs and extra long legs in Converse sneakers.
But there's a pack of vampire dogs that are wreaking havoc on the local cattle population and what separated Carter from his family, so Jorge and his friends need to figure out how to sneak Carter back out under the guise of Halloween.
It was a lot of fun.
October 21, 2024
Mad-magazine-style illustrations with speech bubbles advance the story and add charm and humor to this fun title.
Stranded in New Mexico with his grandparents, his chill abuelo and feisty abuela, Jorge also has to deal with boredom and a sadistic, hunter principal who resents Jorge's presence as a townie at his elite academy.
Meeting Carter, a chubacabra (blood-drinking creature, but the animals don't die) complicates his life, but also gives him a true friend. Two other misfits help him feed (one's dad owns the butcher shop, supplies bag of blood!) and hide/disguise Carter, and when other, evil creatures (dog-like) AND the principal are hunting him, sneak Carter out of town.
Very sweet and slightly gruesome--Carter comes to appreciate the locale and his new friends, and that his mom sent him away for his own good. A sequels to follow: ChupaCarter and the Haunted Piñata; Chupacarter and the Screaming Sombrero 6/25
Stranded in New Mexico with his grandparents, his chill abuelo and feisty abuela, Jorge also has to deal with boredom and a sadistic, hunter principal who resents Jorge's presence as a townie at his elite academy.
Meeting Carter, a chubacabra (blood-drinking creature, but the animals don't die) complicates his life, but also gives him a true friend. Two other misfits help him feed (one's dad owns the butcher shop, supplies bag of blood!) and hide/disguise Carter, and when other, evil creatures (dog-like) AND the principal are hunting him, sneak Carter out of town.
Very sweet and slightly gruesome--Carter comes to appreciate the locale and his new friends, and that his mom sent him away for his own good. A sequels to follow: ChupaCarter and the Haunted Piñata; Chupacarter and the Screaming Sombrero 6/25
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2023
The first in the ChupaCarter #MG series by @georgelopez @ryancalejo @santygutierrez_art
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Jorge is just causing too much trouble in LA with his smart mouth so his mom sends him to live with his grandparents in New Mexico. Jorge now attends a fancy prep school and encounters bullies on his first day of school. Once again his mouth gets him into trouble, but he finds a new ally in Carter, the chupacabra who’s looking for his family. When cattle turn up dead, everyone suspects a vicious monster of killing them, especially Jorge’s hunter principal. Can Jorge trust Carter or is he another bloodthirsty animal?
🐗
This was just adorable, funny and had great lessons about friendship and family. I loved the bond that grew between Carter and Jorge and definitely want to read more in book 2!
CW: bullying
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Jorge is just causing too much trouble in LA with his smart mouth so his mom sends him to live with his grandparents in New Mexico. Jorge now attends a fancy prep school and encounters bullies on his first day of school. Once again his mouth gets him into trouble, but he finds a new ally in Carter, the chupacabra who’s looking for his family. When cattle turn up dead, everyone suspects a vicious monster of killing them, especially Jorge’s hunter principal. Can Jorge trust Carter or is he another bloodthirsty animal?
🐗
This was just adorable, funny and had great lessons about friendship and family. I loved the bond that grew between Carter and Jorge and definitely want to read more in book 2!
CW: bullying
October 7, 2025
I read this as we'll read anything about a Chupacabra. The book does not follow where chupacabras are usually found nor any descriptions of them we've ever heard of. But let's just go along with the tall humanoid talking bilingual chupacabra story.
The actual book is not very creative at all. Stereotypical kid who thinks rules don't have to be followed, broken home, feel sorry for me, moves often, etc - goes to new school where the bullies pick on him for being the wrong color. Really? It's set in NM. Then he goes to school wearing a t-shirt from California? We then meet the caricatures of bullies, school principal and new friends who are also outcasts. You can write the story yourself from here as it follows way too many other completely predictable books and movies.
There are no lessons learned.
The actual book is not very creative at all. Stereotypical kid who thinks rules don't have to be followed, broken home, feel sorry for me, moves often, etc - goes to new school where the bullies pick on him for being the wrong color. Really? It's set in NM. Then he goes to school wearing a t-shirt from California? We then meet the caricatures of bullies, school principal and new friends who are also outcasts. You can write the story yourself from here as it follows way too many other completely predictable books and movies.
There are no lessons learned.
Read
October 8, 2025This is a book about a young boy who becomes friends with a chupa cabra! His mom sent him to go live with his grandparents because he was a pretty bad kid....So when he gets to his grandparents house he goes on the roof like he does when he was at his house. Later after his grandma goes inside from throwing things at him.... He meets someone in the tree, so they talk and stuff and finally asks why the boy is in the tree which then the boy says ´´ there is a thunder storm coming ´´ he says. Then a few seconds later thunder strikes and for a split second he see´s that the boy is a chupa cabra named carter!
this book is really good! it´s the best book i ever read! it has monsters, hunters, and all that kind of stuff!
this book is really good! it´s the best book i ever read! it has monsters, hunters, and all that kind of stuff!
October 2, 2023
I had curiosity going into this book based on the author (who I find very funny) and the folklore of the Chupacabra. I was pleasantly surprised! I enjoyed the main character George/Jorge, and felt a lot of what he experienced was very relatable to a middle schooler. The integration of Carter, the Chupacabra, into George's life was hilarious. I enjoyed the smattering of Spanish and Spanglish throughout the book, and was so pleased to see a strong male relationship presented in the story. Not a book I would typically pick up but I'm glad I did!
September 11, 2022
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I thought this book was super cute and loved that the main character was bilingual! I did feel like there were a lot of pop culture references about things that the target audience (tweens/teens) might not understand because they were about older movies and such. But overall I would definitely recommend this book, especially to students who speak Spanish and English.
October 26, 2022
Chupacarter is a whirlwind print adventure where Carter, a middle school boy new to town, gets bitten and turns into a Chupacabra! Carter soon has to balance his obligations to school and family with his new life as a fantastical, spooky beast. This thriller-mystery is a wonderful fit for reluctant readers soon to enter middle school, or for anyone who enjoys mysteries with fantasy elements.
Reviewer #5
Reviewer #5
December 25, 2022
This was a quick read, filled with jokes and one liners sure to humor the middle school crowd. I cracked up when Jorge said The Rock was just A Pebble compared to his principal. I also laughed at the description of humans by Carter because he called us Chupadedos. I’ll leave you to look that one up. LOL. Read more about this book on my blog: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress....
May 7, 2023
4/23/2023 ~ Friendship, assumptions, stereotypes, family, moving. I enjoyed getting to know George and watching his growth as he realized that the best way his mother could show her love was by sending him to live with his Abuela & Abuelo. The private school and especially the private school principal didn't make much sense, but that added to the slightly surreal feeling of the environment (in a good way.) I look forward to introducing this funny & imaginative story to my elementary readers.
May 7, 2024
Middle schoolers—especially those familiar with the Latino culture of the American Southwest—will enjoy the story of Jorge, a 12 yr old from Los Angeles sent to live with his grandparents in rural New Mexico. He befriends a "Chupacabra" named Carter and if you know about the Latin American fascination with the supernatural, you will find hidden jokes and references all throughout the book. For reading level grades 4-6.
May 30, 2023
Fans of middle grade fantasies need to check out this book! There were so many important topics covered in this book that were done in such a fantastic way! You can really tell that the author was speaking from his own experience when telling this story and it really paid off. I think middle graders, especially boys will appreciate the relatability of this fun fantasy.
January 23, 2023
It is a humorous middle-grade novel filled with Spanish words. If you are of Hispanic descent, you would have heard about the bloodsucker, the Chupacabra. A boy name Jorge is not having the best time after his mother sent him to New Mexico to stay with his grandparents. In school, he was bullied and had no friends he could count on. When he saw Carter the Chupacabra hanging out by a tree next to his grandparent's house, he creates a strong friendship with this monster. Their friendship is so strong that they will risk their lives to help each other. The illustrations are fantastic, and the Latin moments remind me of my family, especially the flying chancletta. I had a great time reading this funny book. The book was filled with George's hilarious jokes and his heritage. Children will enjoy this hilarious book.
April 29, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was engaging and well written. Many references throughout the book will resonate with adults but maybe not the kids anymore. Like Edward Scissor hands, etc. That being said, I love the characters in this book and appreciate the diversity represented!
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