Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir
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Mexikid: a Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martin is a unique autobiographical tale about the author’s trip to Mexico to bring his grandfather back to live with them. Pedro Martin is the seventh of nine children. The first five were born in Mexico while the other four were born in the United States. Pedro offers a glimpse into the antics and youthfulness of his experience when his father purchased an RV and drove the family to Mexico to visit family and return with his revolutionary war hero grandfather.
The story opens with an introduction to each member of the family in a graphically appealing and fun way that highlights some of the peculiarities of each member. The early part of the book details the dynamics of his home and family relationships growing up before switching to their summer road trip, mission, and experience. The story offers readers a window into the family life of another culture and while there are differences, more that is the same between families is at the forefront.
The grandfather is the main focus and mystery for the novel. Pedro desires to hear the stories about his grandfather and the work he did during the Revolution in which he brought supplies to both of the warring sides. There are stories about him being attacked and about his religion helping to save him (128-129).
The other big scene of the story is when a deer is hit by another car. Pedro’s family gets the deer and puts it in the bathroom of the RV. It isn’t long before they realize that the injured deer isn’t fully dead. Pedro wants to help it, but his father and grandfather refuse to help him. He is given an ultimatum to cut off the animal’s broken hoof, which he attempts to do before the animal dies.
There is a mention on page 9 that refers to the TV as God, as the children enjoyed watching particular shows on TV a lot.
When trying to cross the border into Mexico there is mention of bribing the guards. Ultimately, they make off with some of the items they had originally brought with them. A bag of recorded tapes is one item that makes Pedro sad to lose.
There are a few uses of the word “crap” in the novel on page 74 and 88. There is also a toy called “The Little PeePee man”. This toy shows up a few times within the story as he is filled with water and then pees on people (89 is the first mention).
On page 98 there is a mention of ghosts - helpful ghosts and angry ghosts. Later in the story, the family digs up the grandmother’s remains to place her somewhere else before she is washed away.
In chapter 11 there is a story about the tradition of “serenatas” and how to win over a woman. Pedro makes an attempt with a large pig cookie but misses his chance and just ends up eating a bug attracting cookie.
There is a gross scene with a boy with poprocks coming out of his mucus dripping nose (175).
Chapter 14 describes the digging up of the grandmother. There are also other bones found from others buried on top of her.
Quote that highlights one of the family's values, “Abuelito will tell you, like he told me, if you’re going to hunt, you have to make sure you kill your prey right away! You need to be very precise with a slingshot. Animals should never suffer. And then you must eat them, or it’s a sin!” (253).
There is a mention in the opening of chapter 18 on page 254 about “sneak[ing] around the border.” The dad says they are legal and don’t need to sneak.
Another good quote when learning about his grandfather, “I was abuelito’s legacy. I didn’t get that until now. My life was kind of a continuation of his. I was like a sequel!” (262).
Overall, this memoir is written in an engaging and unique way that tells the author’s story, allows readers to experience cultures and customs possibly different from their own, and communicates the power and beauty of families.
