Frontera by Julio Anta and Jacoby Salcedo

Bibliographic Information:

Title: Frontera

Author: Julio Anta and Jacoby Salcedo

Publisher: Harper Alley

Copyright Date: 2023

ISBN: 9780063054950

Format: Graphic Novel

Genre: Paranormal/ Adventure/ Contemporary Fiction/ LGBTQIA+/ BIPOC Voice

Awards: None

Interest Level: Grade 8 and up (School Library Journal)

Plot Summary:

Mateo needs to get across the border so he can start his senior year at school. After spending much time studying and preparing for the dangerous journey his parents have organized for him, he embarks. But when Mateo begins to loose patience no longer able to wait for help, he decides he's going to cross the Sonoran desert alone. When things quickly go from bad to worse Mateo happens upon an unlikely friend, Guillermo, a ghost. Now with no resources, Mateo must rely on Guillermo to help him cross the desert safely, but is Mateo ready to trust him? Mateo and Guillermo must work together, learn about each other, and make connections across the desert to complete their journeys.

Author Background:

Julio Anta now lives in New York City after being born and raised in Miami. He is the author of graphic novels that represent diverse Latinx experiences for people of all ages. Julio Anta often works with illustrator Jacoby Salcedo. Some of Julio's other works include Home and Si, Se Puede. Look out for his upcoming work Second Generation Blues, Speak Up Santiago, Paco and Tiny, and Prison Kids.

Jacoby Salcedo lives in Olympia Washington and is a comic book illustrator. He has worked on many different projects and with different comic book companies such as Dark Horse and DC. Some of Jacoby's work to keep an eye out for is the graphic novel This Land is Our Land, It's Only Teenage Wasteland, and within Legion of Bloom, Covid Chronicles, and Young Men in Love.

Critical Evaluation:

Jacoby Salcedo captures and illustrates the majesty of the desert while Julio Anta translates its dangers. Mateo is such a developed character, one who is so realistically teen full of emotion, confidence, and life dealing with such challenging and mature situations. You see Mateo's need to be home through his impatience, agitation, and distrust, all of which make him complex and at times dislikable. But who can blame him, he's in the Sonoran desert alone without his family, living in constant discomfort away from home and his dreams. As he goes on his journey, you watch him grow and learn to trust and bond with others. Guillermo is a very special character, he was my favorite and his backstory was the best part of the graphic novel. The story moves fast and and keeps the reader engaged and on their toes, just like Mateo was in the desert. Jacoby's art is extremely detailed and enhances the narrative. I would recommend this graphic novel to everyone because it shares a side that is never given space and lets people get a taste of what so many have and have not survived.

Creative Use for Library Program:

Migration Exculpation Podcast- Like Mateo, many people live with fear or embarrassment of their citizenship status. Many have gone through similar experiences to Mateo and are living with that trauma forever with no outlet. Teens, with the help of librarian, host a podcast that allows teens and other members of their community to anonymously share their experiences with being undocumented and crossing the boarder. This podcast intention is to release peoples anxiety, embarrassment, and trauma in a safe space, to create community, and destigmatize being undocumented.

Survival Pack Workshop- Mateo and immigrants arm themselves with survival packs in order to survive the journey across the border. However, unfortunately this is not the only situation where teens may need to have a backpack with necessities. Librarian invites a survivalist and a social worker to lead workshop on building a survival pack. All teens who participate can take home their pack.

Speed Book Talk:

Mateo is all alone, he has his backpack with supplies, all of a sudden he hears something. Boarder Patrol agents on quads coming in fast. It's over for Mateo, that is until Guillermo shows up. But guess what Guillermo's a ghost.

Potential Challenge Issue and Defense Preparation:

Some may challenge this book due to its negative view on Boarder Patrol and its positive view on illegal immigration. But I would argue that this book does neither of these things and instead shares an experience from the side of those who are silenced. Migration, especially today, is unfortunately villainized, so for this graphic novel to share the reality and humanity of people seeking a better life makes a large impact. The realities of this journey are dangerous and the lack of compassion, understanding, and presence of cruelty shown by boarder patrol and militia men towards immigrants is disheartening. In this way the opinions and topics shared in this graphic novel are not only valid but necessary!

Reason for Inclusion:

Being born and raised in San Diego the border is a large part of culture and is involved in many of the individuals experiences in some way. I for one think that this book devillanizes migration and those who cross the border as well as educates people who know little about that experience (like myself). This is a story many teens can relate to and often feel unable to talk about, having this graphic novel is important for creating a safe space for those who feel they may have to hide.

Check Out:

Below is a video by Re-Imagining Migration featuring the authors of Frontera, and educators that discusses how to teach Frontera. Julio Anta has a free pdf of an educator guide for the graphic novel available on his website.

References:

Books of Wonder. (n.d.). Frontera (Paperback) [Photo]. Accessed August 2024 from https://booksofwonder.com/products/9780063054943-1

Goodreads. (n.d.) Frontera. Access August 2024 from https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/62558802-frontera

Jacoby Salcedo. (n.d.). About. Accessed August 2024 from https://www.jacobysalcedoart.com/about

Julio Anta. (n.d.) About. Accessed August 2024 from https://www.julioanta.com/

Julio Anta. (n.d.). Education Guides. Accessed August 2024 from https://www.julioanta.com/educator-guides

Julio Anta. (n.d.) Upcoming. Accessed August 2024 from https://www.julioanta.com/upcoming

Paz, S. (2023). Frontera. School Library Journal. https://www.slj.com/review/frontera

Re-Imaging Migration. (2023, December). Teaching the Graphic Novel Frontera [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/x2BIRx-nF1k?feature=shared