Reviews

¡Ay, Mija!: My Bilingual Summer in Mexico by Christine Suggs

marissasa's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.5

This book perfectly captures the feeling of being caught between two worlds and two identities, like you somehow don't fit in either one but you feel like you are fully part of each regardless. The sentiments about loving someone and being loved by them so deeply despite not being to fully communicate are both beautiful and so relatable to being a child of immigrants and trying to know your grandparents and family back in the motherland. In addition to these themes, this YA  comic feels very coming of age and mentions struggles that many teens go through like body image, questioning your sexual orientation, and feeling like you're not good enough. Although a few of these ideas felt like they weren't explored enough, their inclusion was still meaningful and I really enjoyed what the author shared from their own experiences. The art felt warm and inviting with its gorgeous color palette and it really let the beauty of Mexico shine, a highlight being the tiles on chapter pages and the natural landscapes that were featured. The use of Spanish throughout felt well done and authentic, yet still accessible as someone who doesn't know Spanish at all. The messages were clear and this was a lovely little graphic novel I'd recommend to anyone, especially mixed raced kids and children of immigrants.

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hollandvk's review against another edition

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4.0

I love the art of the tiles in the chapter pages.

taketwolu's review against another edition

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A graphic memoir about Christine’s summer trip to Mexico where they visit family, reacquaints themselves with Spanish, and embrace their heritage. I love the vibrant colors and food descriptions. Despite the language barriers and Christine's identity struggle, this coming of age story felt comforting and embodies the idea of ‘home’. 

saraelizabetha's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.0

lannimade's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

tytad's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny reflective fast-paced

4.0

helpfulcat's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

shanchat's review against another edition

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inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.5

pcarney's review against another edition

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3.5

Impressed I understood all the Spanish

knitnread's review against another edition

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funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0