JUST ANOTHER STORY

Ten years after arriving in America, a man tells the author, his cousin, the story of his perilous journey out of El Salvador.

Overworked, struggling to make ends meet, and unable to see a future for her son in El Salvador, in 2006, Carlos’ mother made the desperate decision to use coyotes to help her reach America. Fearing what might happen to her on the way, teenage Carlos decided to go, too. Despite their fears and grief over leaving loved ones behind, mother and son embarked on the long, dangerous trek. The narrative alternates between Carlos’ vivid and sometimes harrowing recollections and serene images of him narrating his experiences to Saade. The story offers remarkable insights into Carlos’ inner life and gives him agency over how his story is told; Saade is enthralled, even though Carlos comments, “Nobody would want to read about this. It’s just another story…” Powerful vignettes weave the epic odyssey of one family’s migration while highlighting the risks and sacrifices undertaken daily by migrants searching for the American dream. The striking illustrations deftly convey complex emotions and poignant symbolism. The skillful use of color highlights important moments and distinguishes past and present; defying typical genre conventions, the past is rendered in a vibrant spectrum of colors, while the present-day conversations with Saade use a minimal and muted palette, underscoring how Carlos’ memories haven’t faded with time.

Memorably elucidates real experiences in graphic detail through empathetic text and visuals.