Synopsis
Sixteen-year-old Christine takes their first solo trip to Mexico to spend a few weeks with their grandparents and tía. At first, Christine struggles to connect with family they don’t yet share a language with. Seeing the places their mom grew up—the school she went to, the café where she had her first date with their father—Christine becomes more and more aware of the generational differences in their family.
Soon Christine settles into life in Mexico, eating pan dulce, drawing what they see, and growing more comfortable with Spanish. But when Mom joins their trip, Christine’s two worlds collide. They feel homesick for Texas, struggle against traditions, and miss being able to speak to their mom without translating. Eventually, through exploring the impacts of colonialism in both Mexico and themselves, they find their place in their family and start to feel comfortable with their mixed identity.
From: Hachette Book Group
Notes on This Title
This is a memoir. The author has a Mexican mother and uses they/them pronouns.
Awards
None.
Reviews
“Via a limited blue and orange color palette that mimics Mexican Talavera pottery traditions, Suggs tackles themes of sexuality, cultural identity, and body image with understanding and heart.” (Source: Publishers Weekly)
“A sweet and memorable story of growth and self-discovery.” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)
Interviews
Nerds & Beyond: “Interview: Christine Suggs on ‘¡Ay, Mija!’, Their Nonbinary, Bilingual, & Fat Debut Graphic Novel”
NPR: “Artist Christine Suggs on their graphic novel ‘Ay, Mija’“