THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO: stunning artwork, contemporary topics, real topics with real big feels, discussions of citizenship status & immigration, magical realism (ghosts), queer side character

CWs: deportation, saying goodbye to family (with unknown reunion), border patrol, death of side character (past, depicted), period typical homophobia (flashbacks), dog chase, animal attack (jaguar, not graphic)

>> wow, what an important work! for folks who want to learn more about the realities of citizenship, deportation, and border crossing, not to mention the history of those 3 things, this is a must read. but please do read with caution and check those CWs. I say that known that...this is something that happens everyday to too many people. I will never know the dangers of these topics first-hand, but I can educate myself and others on what the realities of our friends & fellow humans face EVERY DAY. Immigration is under constant threat. People's lives! the government still hasn't finalized DACA nor made an easier path to citizenship for people of color from "undesirable" countries (hello, RACISM 101).

this is an important topic & I really hope you read this!

#Frontera #JulioAnta #JacobySalcedo #GraphicNovel #SocialJustice #BookRecommendations #YoungAdultBooks

I absolutely loved this moving and meaningful graphic novel. The incorporation of fantastical elements makes the themes more accessible to young readers. Highly recommend.

As Mateo makes the dangerous trek across the Sonoran Desert to the US, he encounters an unlikely ally, Guillermo the ghost. Having narrowly escaped Border Patrol, Mateo realizes he is unprepared for a solo journey and to put faith in the supernatural to survive. As the two travel together, Mateo must confront unresolved anger towards his parents for lying to him about being born in the US and Guillermo opens up about the sorrows of seeing the same violence and hardship time and time again. Recommended for purchase at all public and high school libraries.

Mateo's family is deported in his Sophmore year of high school and he is desperate to get back before his Senior year so he can attend college in America. To this end he risks an illegal border crossing. This graphic novel details his journey.

It was interesting to see the difficult journey that illegal immigrants have to make to cross over into the United States, and it was sad to see the reasoning behind why Mateo had to make it. I just am unsure what type of book this is supposed to be. They take a serious topic and then inject a bit too much mysticism. I mean, Guillermo I could get behind, but El Jefe? That pushed to story too far for my liking. Beyond that, I understand that Mateo was supposed to be impulsive and angry, but he was just so disrespectful.

This is a graphic novel that follows Mateo as he illegally crosses the border into the US with the help of a friendly ghost. Mateo is headstrong and I definitely see teens relating to him and his drive. It also provides a quick look at the history of border crossings in an extremely natural way. I really enjoyed the art style. Frontera covers a heavy topic but I think it was done well.

After being deported from the only home he has ever known, teenage Mateo must brave the desert heat and its many dangers alone (well... sort of...) in his treacherous trek from Guadalajara, Mexico to Pheonix, Arizona.

A really moving and heartfelt read that touches on the many issues of immigration and deportation.

Highly recommend to all!

A beautifully illustrated story showing us readers the very real dangers of the journey people take crossing the border, each one on the search for something. I have many strong, concrete feelings about border patrol, family separation, immigration, and those vile militias and this graphic novel has done a fantastic job of introducing all of that and more. We love El Jefe the adorable jaguar. Abolition always and that includes borders!

I really liked this book and the topics that it covered. It's so important to learn about these types of experiences and how they affect real people and the environment.

Mateo embarks on a journey to cross the border to get to his grandmother. His parents have saved up the money and have prepared him in the best way they can for him to make this trip. He encounters many challenges and he grows a lot during this experience.

I loved the illustrations and the colors that were used on the characters during a flashback scene. There were so many different types of characters shown as well and it was great to get those other perspectives.

As someone who spent over a decade as an undocumented immigrant, this story really touched me even though the circumstances were different. Highly recommend this graphic novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Children's Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

- this book was absolutely incredible! The amount of depth and symbolism was impressive with how quick graphic novels can seem to go.
- Frontera does a great job of balancing showing how inhumane ICE and other groups that stop border crossing can be, while also balancing that with the hope and love in the story.
- I really loved how anger and hurt were such an integral part of Mateo’s story. There are a few scenes later on that dive into his emotions that are incredibly impactful.
- the use of color in this was so well done. The way El Jefe seems to light up the page comes to mind as an example.

The cover isn't good enough for this perfect story!
A young man, a ghost, a long journey, an unexpected encounter, and an animal friend.
So complete and fancinating.
I haven't seen such great story for years!

This was excellent!

Such a powerful and important story that everyone should read.
This graphic novel tell a poignant and powerful story of a young adult crossing the border back to his home in America. Stories like this can teach empathy to so many young people. The art was fantastic and captured the story well. The panels and dialouge were set up great and flowed nicely. Readers will be able to follow along without being confused. The transition between current time and the flashbacks worked really well here. Everything about this story worked well, and I can't wait for this to come out so I can share it with readers.

Beyond the absolutely gorgeous artstyle, this book packed one heck of a punch.

It was so beautifully told and incorporated the simplest of magic in a journey that seems only full of pain and worry.

These characters, this art, this story deserve to be heard and read by millions.

I loved this and will be purchasing a copy of my own when it comes out. We need more graphic novels like this! :)

A beautiful, moving novel about the people crossing and living at the US-Mexico border with a temporal, supernatural twist. Easily one of my favorite graphic novels so far.

Not only was this story beautiful visually, but it really messed me up for a few hours about the inhumane treatment of people at the US-Mexican border. With the politicizing of immigration, it can be easy to forget the humanity and individuality of the policies and programs we're fighting for.

I loved getting to spend time with Mateo and Guillermo and cannot wait to watch other people fall in love with them the way I did.

This enchanting graphic novel tells the story of Mateo, a teenage migrant, who makes the treacherous journey across the desert back to his home and Grandmother in Phoenix. Despite his mistakes, Mateo is a character you can't help but root for. His determination and resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges make him a compelling protagonist.

During his journey, Mateo meets Guillermo, a ghost who helps Mateo on his journey and acts as his guide. Readers learn about Guillermo's backstory, including his love for another migrant boy, which adds depth and complexity to the character.

The artwork by Salcedo is beautifully rendered, capturing the harsh beauty of the desert landscape and bringing the characters to life. Overall, "Frontera" is an enjoyable read for fans of graphic novels and anyone interested in stories that explore the complexities of the immigrant experience.

Frontera uses ghosts and other incredible - almost fantastical elements - to talk about the very real and harrowing journey many face when crossing the boarder. I think its a good entry point into the conversation. Both writer and illustrator did a great job.

Mateo must remain vigilant and smart while crossing the Sonoran Desert alone, especially if he hopes to arrive safely in Phoenix, Arizona. However, due to his impatience, he flings himself into making the trek alone and before he knows it he stumbles upon a ghost named Guillermo who spends his afterlife guiding migrants to safety. Mateo experiences dehydration, border patrol, and many helpful people as he journeys back to the U.S.

I found myself in tears by the end of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the art style this graphic novel has because of the detail and how wonderful it is. Mateo was a very stubborn, frustrating character to read about but he's a high schooler! He literally did not ask to be placed in this situation like many others. It took him a while but he eventually understood the importance of appreciating all the people who helped him and sacrificed for him. I really enjoyed this book. It went back and forth between breaking my heart and warming it up! Guillermo's story was so heartbreaking but it added so much to the narrative. I am so happy I was able to read this because it is so insightful and emotional. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants just a glimpse of what some families have to experience for just a taste of a better life.

I'm not a huge fan of graphic novels, but I know my students enjoy them. This was an excellent explanation of what crossing the border is like. The illustrations helped make the story realistic as you can see the characters as well as reading the text.

A boy heads off on a journey alone across the Mexican-American border.
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Mateo thought he was born in the US, but once his family is deported to Guadalajara, Mexico he realizes he was born there and brought to Arizona at age three. Now he’s a teen and wants to enroll back in his school in Phoenix, but first he has to cross the border and get to Arizona alive. When the escort across the border tells him they have to wait a week, impatience drives Mateo to strike out on his own. In the desert he meets a ghost named Guillermo who helps protect and guide him on his journey.
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This was a beautiful and magical YA graphic novel about Dreamers, life and death, immigration policy, and the harshness of the environment in the desert. The artwork was stunning and I was already a fan of @julioanta after reading his Home series. This book releases July 18.

CW: death, dehydration, racism, violence, guns, immigration issues, animal attack

Matea is a Dreamer. He was brought to the U.S. by his parents at the age of 3 without his knowledge. While in high school his family was discovered and deported back to Mexico. Now all he thinks about is getting back to Phoenix in time for his senior year to live with his grandmother. So he crosses the border on his own where he comes across a ghost who attempted the same trip 70 years before. Guillermo now does his best to help those making the trip across to keep from dying. Even with a ghost, the book felt pretty realistic until the jaguar showed up. Then things kind of spiraled a bit out of control. I did like it overall though and the art is solid.

This graphic novel follows a teen who is trying to get back to America, where he was living until a year ago. He wants to live with his grandma and finish high school. His family arranged for him to cross the border, but he decides to go it alone. Without the help of a ghost he wouldn’t make it. The scenes showing the reality of the dangers of crossing the border made this graphic novel very informative. The supernatural was an interesting way to add a more historical dimension as well.