Lowriders to the Center of the Earth
by Cathy Camper & Raul Gonzalez III
This mélange of Latino culture, Aztec mythology and basic geology takes readers on an action-packed ride in Lupe's meticulously-detailed low-riding classic Impala. Lupe Impala and her sidekicks Elirio Malaria and El Chavo Flapjack Octopus set off to find their beloved cat Genie. Their search takes them deep inside the earth where they encounter Mictlantecuhhli, fierce Aztec god of the underworld. The story concludes with an extravagant Dia de los Muertos celebration. That is one wild ride!
| Cathy Camper peppers this continuation of the Lowriders saga with an abundance of fascinating details. The low-rider culture is super-cool and use of Spanish catchphrases gives the dialog a sparkle. I loved the puns - the ridiculously crazy puns - in Spanish, English, and an audacious Spanish-English mix. "You've gato be kitten me!" A glossary of Spanish idioms, Aztec myths, and geological terms up the book's awesome factor. Learn more in this interview with the author. |  |
| Now let's move on to an exploration of Raul the Third and his signature art, influenced by his childhood years in Mexico and El Paso, Texas. Line drawings in red, black, and blue pen are heavily detailed. The expressive style often bursts outside the boundaries of rigid panels and complements the storyline. Note: Loved the expanded drawing explaining the workings of a car swamp cooler. With epic fight scenes and plenty of inside humor, Gonzalez packs a punch in every page. Learn more about the illustrator here. |  |
Companion Books
| Leo Geo and His Miraculous Journey Through the Center of the Earth by Jon Chad First thing that you notice is the shape of the book. The very long and skinny shape sticks out on a bookshelf. But it’s the brilliant way that geology is presented to young readers with smart slick text and art that will keep young readers wanting to know more. |  |
| Lowriders in Space by Cathy Camper and Raul the Third Meet Lupe Impala, Elirio, and Flappy and discover how they acquired her classic ranfla. This book is the one that started the saga. Whether you read this before or after Lowriders to the Center of the Earth, you won't want to miss out on any of the back-story and inside jokes. This book is on the master list for the 2016-2017 Texas Bluebonnet Award. |  |
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