Manuelito by Elisa Amado

 

Manuelito 

Written by: Elisa Amado 

Illustrated by: Abraham Urias 

Originally Published in: 2019 

Manuelito is a 13-year-old boy from Guatemala. His family's life is far from perfect. Manuelito and his parents live in the Guatemalan countryside and they are heavily patrolled by armed civilian patrol. And when government-backed drug gangs arrive and take control of the village, Manuelito is sent to seek refuge in America with his aunt, his parents worried he will be forced into a gang. Manuelito is able to make it through Mexico and up to the Mexico-America border, where he is met with a "coyote." The coyote is able to get him over the border but Manuelito soon realizes that there may be may more struggles in America than he previously thought. Manuelito arrives to New York to be with his aunt and starts to adjust to a new school. ICE eventually shows up on their doorstep and deports Manuelito along with his aunt. 

This graphic novel is targeted towards middle schools. As some of the realities and themes this book includes may be too much for younger students. This book highlights the issues of immigration in war-torn countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. After being caught, many children are detained in Mexico and do not have access to lawyers. Most are eventually sent back to their fighting countries, left with no other options. Immigration from Central America can relate to many students in KUSD and RUSD, as I have had students in my placements from that area. It can also give light to the difficulties some face in their war-torn countries and how some have little choice but to leave. 

Other information: 

Manuelito is a Young Adult Fiction graphic novel. 

Amado, E., & Urias, A. (2019). Manuelito: a graphic novel. Annick Press. 

https://www.annickpress.com/Books/M/Manuelito