TO THE OTHER SIDE

Two Latine siblings set out on a journey north to the border between the United States and Mexico.

The older sister explains to the narrator that they are playing a game—to win, they must cross the line. They must keep moving, stay out of the clutches of the monsters, and avoid getting caught. The playful mood turns serious as the trip becomes perilous. The siblings rely on each other and persevere in order to reach their goal—a welcoming home on the other side. Clad in colorful masks to give them courage and speed, the siblings travel on foot, by bus, and by catching rides. The children are carried atop a freight train reminiscent of La Bestia, a dangerous network of northbound trains used for transportation by some migrants. Bright jewel tones—oranges, pinks, yellows, and more—used to depict the travelers’ masks and in landscape accents pop against the otherwise monochrome images, juxtaposing the sweetness of childhood with their grim journey. The motif of the imposing steel bars of the Mexico–U.S. border wall appears throughout in the strong parallel lines seen in train tracks, shadows, the wings of the ominous “monsters” stalking the travelers, and images of the wall itself. Yet the story is ultimately hopeful, gently providing probing insight into the lives of the youngest migrants. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A gorgeously rendered, heartbreaking look at one family’s immigration experience.