Lowriders in Space

Lowriders in spaceWritten by Cathy Camper, Illustrated by Raúl the Third

Lupe Impala was the finest mechanic South of Vacaville.

Flapjack Octopus wielded the wettest washcloth North of the Salton Sea.

Elirio Malaria was the best detail artist around.

They all work for El Jefe at the car lot, but they dream of having their own garage. When they find out about the Universal Car Competition, they take an old shell of a car and a box of spare rocket parts to hack together a truly beautiful and cosmic vehicle in hopes of winning “a carload of cash and a solid gold steering wheel.”

This is a unique graphic novel with a fun premise, filled from front to back with vibrant, detailed, three-color ballpoint pen drawings, funny dialogue (including plenty of Spanish slang thrown into the mix,) and a wonderful setting (a California Latino neighborhood, and then outer space.) It gives a view into a culture underrepresented in children’s books, and includes quick footnote translations/explanations on a lot of the Spanish terms for readers who are new to this culture. Recommended for young comic/graphic novel fans, car lovers, and anyone else who likes a funny adventure story, whether or not they know a word of Spanish.

Look for a sequel, Lowriders to the Center of the Earth, later this year.

Review by Joshua Whiting, Granite Library Media / Ed. Tech. Dept.
Rating: ★★★★ (4 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 3-8

Lowriders in Space
Written by Cathy Camper, Illustrated by Raúl the Third
Chronicle Books
110 pages
Release Date: November 4, 2014

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22 thoughts on “Lowriders in Space”

  1. GIVEAWAY!

    We have 2 copies of this book to give away to a school library or classroom in Granite School District. If you are a Granite teacher, student, librarian, or other staff member, post a comment below to be entered to win. In one week we will do a drawing and send the books via district mail to the winning libraries/classrooms. Thanks for reading!

  2. Vala'dee Tanner

    Our students love graphic novels! This sounds like it would be a great addition to our collection!

  3. I loved the artwork in this book! I also really like that it is different than the other graphic novels we have showing a different culture with an interesting story!

  4. Christie Haslam

    I am going to buy this book next year. A female mechanic – check, a book about cars – check, hispanic characters – check. Done :)

  5. I can’t get new graphic novels fast enough to keep up with the reading pace of my GN loving students, and our Lowrider book is usually checked out. Winning a copy of Lowriders in Spacer sounds like the perfect answer:)

  6. The winners of the drawing are Jessica Riggs at Frost Elem. and Renee Larsen at Hillside Elem!

    I wish we had more copies of this one to give away. Maybe when the second book comes out we will give have some to give away. Thanks everyone for looking!

    1. Thank you so much for the book!! I just know the kids at our school will love to read this fun graphic novel.

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