Just Another Story | Review

Just Another Story: A Graphic Migration Account
By Ernesto Saade
Graphic Universe, April 2024
Grades 7 and up

With immigration being in the forefront of the news, and so many schools taking in migrant students here in New York City and other large cities in the United States, this is a timely graphic novel, as it depicts the harrowing journey of a mother and son as they make their way from El Salvador to the United States.

When Carlos’s cousin visits him in the United States, 10 years after his arrival, Carlos tells him the story of his journey. Carlos is 19 when his mother announces that she plans to travel to the United States. Carlos isn’t willing to let her go alone, though he does not want to leave the life he knows in El Salvador.

The trek through Guatemala and then Mexico, being led by a coyote (someone they paid to escort them into the United States illegally), is frightening and fraught with dangers. Along the way, there are ruthless criminal cartels, unscrupulous people, and the dangers of the terrain.

As the story alternates between the framing tale and past events, Saade uses vivid color to bring Carlos’s journey to life and a more subdued combination of browns and blacks for the present-day storytelling sessions. This artistic choice not only distinguishes the timelines but also reflects the emotional weight of the memories. The artwork is integral to the storytelling, showing in more than words the fraught journey the mother and son faced.

The story is very accessible to young readers and can be a catalyst for many discussions about immigration and the desire for a better life. Was the sacrifice worth it? Did life become better for Carlos and his mother? Did Carlos’s mother achieve her desire?

This is a worthy addition to any graphic novel collection and has many classroom connections that can be made. It would be interesting to hear what students have to say.

Filed under: Graphic Novels, Reviews, Young Adult