Reviews

My Two Border Towns by David Bowles

hollyxbear's review

5.0

This is such a good introduction to refugees and immigrants trying to get into the country. It is simple yet still intense. I loved it.

kayleeacton's review

5.0

My Two Border Towns is about a boy and his father who take a trip each week to go across the border to obtain items from a list. While collecting the items, the father and son meet up with family, pick up medicine, and reconnect with the people. On their way back, they make their final stop where they drop off the much-needed supplies to friends who are seeking shelter. These friends cannot get into either America or Mexico because there is no room. I would love to have this in my classroom to read to the whole class. It provides a story that many do not talk about but need to.

nawarafra's review

hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

I remember very little from my art classes, but I really liked the style of this book because I think the watercolours work really well for a book like this and I actually learned how to draw in a similar style to this when I was younger. My favourite piece was definitely the river (or "watery serpent") because it is just some of the most beautiful artwork that I have seen in a very long time. A detail that I really liked though was the grandmother flipping tortillas (arepas?) with her hand, it was a very nice touch.

Solid book overall, I just think the art was more appealing than the writing itself.

jaij7's review

5.0

Great book!

shaundell's review

3.0

A boy and his father prepare for a trip of the Other Side, which is a border town (a mirror of their own town) in another country. They cross the Rio Grande River, take care of their business, and then make their way home, passing refugees who are stuck between both countries, neither country willing to take them in.

School Library Journal Top Children's Pick for 2021.

lgl88's review

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

suchacommotion's review

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

carissaplake's review

5.0

I enjoyed getting a sight into what the life of a family living on the boarder might be like. They visited their own family in Mexico, and they helped others waiting to come into America. I think this would be just a good text to have in my classroom for my students to get a glimpse into different cultures and see the good in other cultures.

litagentsaritza's review

3.0

The beautiful imagery coupled with a strong narrative makes this a really good book to use when discussing topics like immigration and what it means for the many families, friends, and communities that split their time between worlds.

mnboyer's review

4.0

The young narrator in this book talks about what he and his father do on the weekends. The adventure begins on one side of the US/Mexico border – there is food, friendly banter, the father always purchases a newspaper, etc. Every weekend, the father tells the story of the Coahuiltecans–the original inhabitants of all of this land. However, the duo then crosses (and pays to cross) the border to enter the US side. In this small Texas town, Spanish is still spoken and it looks very similar to Mexico. The young boy also sees lots of refugees who are stuck between countries.

How to Use This Book: I would use this book as an example of social justice issues, pointing specifically to issues surrounding immigration policies that keep families separated. However, this book can also show how people/communities/towns are eerily similar and how that is not something to be scared about. In many ways this book suggests that the border separates people, but the people have no real reason to be separated–we’re all very similar. We all have families. We all love the same.

Personal Response: I enjoyed that while this book has undertones of political injustices, it still is very appealing to a younger audience that can enjoy the story whether or not they fully comprehend that immigration policies being discussed. The story is a travel narrative, and one that highlights the role of families when they are divided, and focuses on Hispanic/Latinx communities. Great illustrations and vivid colors make the book appealing as well.