This compelling young adult graphic memoir, based on real events, tells the story of Gricelda, a fifteen-year-old Mexican girl who attempts to cross the border into America with her mother and younger brother in search of a better life. Their treacherous journey, filled with both heartbreak and hope, begins in Tijuana, where they are transported from house to house by strangers. Here they meet the mysterious smuggler el Güero, who promises to lead the young family through the mountains and the scorching heat of the desert and beyond. Can he prove himself by keeping them safe during the crossing? Will America be the country of dreams like they imagined? Or will adjusting to their new life in California be another type of struggle for Gricelda and her family? With captivating illustrations inspired by the graffiti and stencil art prevalent during the 2006 political uprising in Oaxaca, as well as local textiles and embroidery, Travesía is Gricelda’s first-person account, derived from interviews with author Michelle Gerster and told in both English and Spanish, of crossing the Mexico-US border. Timely and relevant, Travesía is a vibrant and powerful testament to the desperation and resilience of millions of migrating people who endure the pain of leaving their old lives behind to embark on the perilous journey across borders in search of a new life. < 100% of royalties from the sale of this book will be donated to Centro Legal de la Raza, a legal services agency protecting and advancing the rights of low-income, immigrant, Black, and Latinx communities through bilingual legal representation, education, and advocacy. < Ages 12 and up. Gr 6 Up—Photographer, documentary filmmaker, and educator Gerster shares the true account of a 15-year-old Mexican migrant, Gricelda, and her family's terrifying experience crossing the border between Mexico and the United States. This short story straddles the line between picture book and graphic novel, leaning more toward the former; text and imagery are kept separate and somewhat simple, without traditional panels. In the few instances where some semblance of panels are used, they are bordered by a stitched thread, which begins to unravel when Gricelda and her family begin their border-crossing in earnest. The illustrations largely have a wood grain texture overlaid on them and draw upon a varied palette, ranging from a warm honey gold to a cool amethyst, with grays and earth tones in between. Despite the importance of the subject matter, the story's brevity works against it, as much of the experience is shared without significant examination. Readers learn about the dangers from human coyotes, and the art depicts the treacherous wildlife and terrain of the desert, including actual coyotes, but it all happens quickly and is shared passively, reducing its impact. Much of the story is abruptly tied up via a text-only epilogue. The back matter includes an author reflection. Both English and Spanish language narration exists on each page. VERDICT Though this narrative tells an important story of immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border, it could have benefited from more exploration to fill the story out. An additional purchase.—Alea Perez, Elmhurst P.L., IL “Visually and emotionally engaging, Travesia is a call to action against our devastating immigration policies. Michelle Gerster and Fiona Dunnett beautifully convey a harrowing story that has been experienced directly by untold millions, with an intimacy that will grab your heart.” —Peter Kuper, author of Diario de Oaxaca and Ruins “ Travesia is a beautifully realized tale of migration, fortitude and resilience. Gerster and Dunnett tell this tale with an intimacy that draws you near, even through the most harrowing passages. Travesía is a powerful and important work in the canon of visual storytelling.” ―Johnnie Christmas, author of Tartarus and Crema Michelle Gerster is an American photojournalist, videographer, and ESL educator based out of Oakland, California, after living in Oaxaca, Mexico. Her work focuses on social justice in relation to immigration and deportation. Her photojournalism on deportation from the US to Mexico received the PROOF Emerging Photojournalist Award honourable mention. Travisía is her first book. Fiona Dunnett is a Canadian illustrator whose work draws inspiration from having lived and worked in Oaxaca, Mexico. She has done group and solo exhibitions around Mexico and Canada, and was a semifinalist for the Adobe Design Achievement Awards in 2018. Travesía is her first book. [English] I was fifteen years old when I got the news that my dad and my older brother were going to the US. I remember that my mom was really sad, but the truth is I didn’t know why. What I do know is that soon after they left, my mom, my younger brother and I had to go as well. [Spanish] Tenía yo 15 años cuando recibí la noticias de que mi papá y mi hermano mayor se irían a los Estados Unidos. Recuerdo qu