Mabuhay!: A Graphic Novel

School Library Journal

Gr 4 Up-JJ and Althea can't forget their Filipino heritage, no matter how hard they try. There are constant reminders that they don't fit in as "regular" American kids, like when they have to help out at their family's food truck by handing out samples dressed up in a pig costume, or they have to listen to their mother's Filipino folklore stories AGAIN, or the other kids in school complain about the way their lunches smell. But when strange things start happening around them and they discover that both good and evil characters from their mother's stories really exist, JJ and Althea realize that everyone in their family is in danger. The challenge will be to see if they can do their jobs at The Beautiful Pig food truck while also saving their family, and even the world! This book features lots of colorful panels that sometimes jump out at diagonal angles, adding extra energy and drama to an already exciting story. The background colors and designs also change at certain moments, which lets readers know that something unusual is happening, as when the story switches from modern day into a folktale. VERDICT Have this on hand for readers who enjoy captivating adventures, food, and folklore!-Andrea Lipinskiα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.