Book Review: Lowriders Blast from the Past by Cathy Camper and Raúl The Third

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Lupé, Flapjack and Elirio travel back in time to when they first met and became friends. They bonded after being bullied by Las Matamoscas. The bullies pull every punch to keep the Lowriders out of the car show. They simply won't let girls into the show but Lupé, and her friends are determined to get her two mothers, Mamá Impala and Mamá Gazelle into the show. Will they be able to master the art of making sure no visible brush strokes are on their car or can they keep a 5-gallon jar of agua fresca from spilling around the track?

While it takes some time to get to the heart of the story, slap stick humor keeps the pages turning. In the end, a heartwarming lesson about standing up for what is right prevails. An amusing look into the lowrider culture with an easy way to learn some new Spanish words.

Rating:  ★★★★☆

Book Review: Lowriders to the Center of the Earth by Cathy Camper and Raúl the Third

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

As owners of an awesome garage and an"exquisitely detailed" lowrider car, Lupe Impala, Elirio Malaria the mosquito, and El Chavo Flapjack the octopus, couldn't ask for a better life. Earthquakes literally rock their world and Genie, their beloved cat, winds up missing. Following the cat's trail leads them on an exciting adventure through a corn field and ultimately through a trap that leads to the realm of the Aztec god of the Underworld, Miclantecuhlti.

After the three friends plunge into a cave, they meet up with the legendary La Llorona who thinks Flappy is her long lost child. She is the least of their worries. When they finally find the caged Genie, they come face to face with Miclantecuhlti. Will they be able to rescue their beloved cat from the god of the Underworld? It's not all "pun" and games but the jokes abound and with the endless Spanish vocabulary, the reader gets laughs and learning at the same time. The exquisite illustrations add to the fun. The reader will enjoy figuring out the puns and looking at the pictures so much that the cultural references and Aztec lore will come as a sneaky bonus. A playful graphic novel for the reluctant reader.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Chronicle Books (July 5, 2016)

ISBN: 973-1452138367

Pages: 128

Ages: 8-12