Author: Cathy Camper
Illustrated by: Raul the Third
Reviewed by: Michaelene M.
Lowriders to the Center of the Earth is the second volume in the Lowriders in Space series. Lupe Impala, El Chavo Flapjack, and Elirio Malaria are back from space only to set out on a new quest: to find their missing cat! They’ll have to leave their garage behind and drive to the center of the earth to save him. But first, they have to complete a series of tasks from the Aztec god himself, Mictlantecuhtli.
This graphic novel delivers a rip-roaring good time as our crew of lowrider enthusiasts go on a new adventure. The story immerses readers in the lowrider and Latino culture, blending in elements of the Aztec culture as well as characters of folklore. The illustrations are detailed and wicked cool, and both English and Spanish are used (with translated footnotes).
Readers will be left guessing at every turn how the characters will defeat each new obstacle, only to be thrilled by the clever solutions. And there’s plenty of groan-worthy puns and one-line zingers to entertain. At the end of the story, we’re left with renewed sense of what we’d do for our friends…and our beloved pets!
Lowriders to the Center of the Earth won the 2017 Pura Belpré Illustrator Award. This graphic novel is available as an eBook on Overdrive and as a physical book in the library. Call us at 580-234-6313 to reserve.
