STUDENT AMBASSADOR

Joseph is an unreliable narrator with a flair for the dramatic and plenty of humor in this middle-grade graphic novel.

After winning an improbable essay contest, Joseph Bazan has the honor of meeting the U.S. president. After his quick wit and smooth talking prove he is a natural diplomat, Joseph is thrust onto the international stage to connect with the young monarch of the fictional country of West Rhutar, which seems to be somewhere in Asia. There, young King Nang has his sights set on revenge against East Rhutar, which he blames for leaving him orphaned, and Joseph must help broker peace. All is going well until a late-night heist sets off a globe-trotting quest for the truth behind the tensions between East and West Rhutar, as Nang and Joseph traipse across East Asia. Though Joseph is identified as Mexican American, the real cultural highlight is on Korea, where Joseph and Nang end up by accident and where Joseph’s fondness for Korean comics comes in handy. Some astute readers may note the similarities between the fictional East and West Rhutar and the tensions between North and South Korea. Meanwhile, Korean language and lore yield clues to help Nang and Joseph track down the bad guys and solve the mystery. Illustrations and storyboard are inspired by Korean manhwa comics, with a dash of Japanese manga and American graphic traditions. This creates a fast-paced adventure sure to appeal to reluctant readers.

A Korean travelogue with madcap antics and adventures.