A review by spicycronereads
Frontera by Jacoby Salcedo, Julio Anta

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

While I found this to be a bit didactic from time to time, I think that can be attributed to it being a YA graphic novel. 

The story of Mateo’s migration journey from Guatemala to Phoenix takes multiple interesting turns, most notably when he meets Guillermo, a ghost of someone who died while crossing the Sonoran desert and who now helps others avoid his same fate. 

The novel makes multiple important points about pathways to migration, the DACA program, and the pattern of shifting policies and practices around the US-Mexico border. 

Aside from multiple Latinx characters, the book also briefly features a queer love story. 💖 So there is both racial and romantic diversity.

Overall, the important themes and representation overcame the occasionally didactic narrative. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 💖