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Written by Elisa Amado and Illustrated by Abraham Urias. Releasing April 9, 2019 Lately, it has been a relevant time for books. Books like White Rose from @kipwilsonwrites and Internment by @sam_aye_ahm give us glimpses into both the past and one of our not so great futures. Manuelito, published by @annick_press is here to tell you about the present.
TW: Mild Violence (off page)
In the present, headlines about refugees and immigration plague our news feeds and our TVs but sometimes we forget. Those headlines are also people, children, with harrowing stories to tell and one of them is Manuelito.
You follow Manuelito on his journey from Guatemala to the US to seek asylum, it isn't easy and a lot of things happen on the way. The simple images look like Manuelito could have drawn them, and written at a vocabulary level similar to a child's, you get the feeling that Manuelito is speaking to you. In 97 pages this graphic novel is not asking you to change all your beliefs but it is asking you to take a moment, step into their shoes and understand how the world looks like from where they are standing. It might make you wonder, how would you feel if this was your only way out?
Topics Discussed in the book:
Background Stories- Not only do you see Manuelito's journey but you see why the decision was made, but his story is not the only one given light.
Conditions for Child refugees- We have seen it all over the news, but while its news to you, its reality for them.
Safety of Passage- The trip from Guatemala to the US is not easy, and the book does not shy away from showing some of the possible scenarios.
5/5 ❤❤❤❤❤
In the end, I gave this book a perfect rating because it is relevant because with its 97 pages it is accessible to everyone, reader and non-reader alike. Books like this need to exist so their stories can be told, so people can relate and stop thinking it has nothing to do with them. Thousands of children and refugees die attempting to seek Asylum in the US every year. I am just asking you to read one story. It could make a difference.
(Was provided this ARC by NetGalley, my opinion is unbiased and my own) #immigration #refugees #relevant #present #bookrecommendations #bookcommunity #makeachange #bookstagrammer #creative #booktography #powerful #imagery #booknerdigans #bookswithhistory #bookhoarder #netgalley