The story of a man living in the U.S. who reflects back when he came here from El Salvador a decade before with his mother. It goes into great detail how they worked with coyotes to travel here over a vast distance all the way through Guatemala and Mexico. You also get a sense of their fears and worries as the whole time they were at the mercy of these shady people. Really interesting to see other people's perspectives and makes you very thankful that we have so much here. Without getting into the political landscape, these are just people looking for a better life for their families just like the rest of us.

I think this story is being published at a vital time in our country’s history since we’re right around the corner from another election where immigration will once again be a huge topic of debate. I think this story approaches the topic from an extremely empathetic lens and has the potential to give folks insight on what the undocumented experience can look like.

I never know how to review nonfiction. It was a good read, I was a bit nervous going in because the art style isn’t my favorite but I got pulled in immediately anyways. The story was powerful.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! And thank you Ernesto Saade, for this meaningful story. It’s refreshing to read something so real and serious in the midst of a genre that’s full of fantasy and make believe. My heard hurt for Carlos and Elena as we journeyed with them from El Salvador to the United States.

I highly recommend to anyone, especially those who may be interested in glimpsing the lives of those willing to risk it all for a better life for themselves and their family.

Graphic memoirs and NF are incredible. It gives such great information in a very clear and interesting way that keeps your attention and will keep the attention of people of so many ages. It may be a "juvenile" book, but it truly is for everyone to read about and learn a little more.

Just Another Story is a magnificent use of comics, and great linking of image and message. A thoughtful and socially relevant work that I would gladly share as a reader and academic/teacher.

This was an emotional tale of survival and sacrifice. I liked how it focused on the teen’s perspective but also gave glimpses into the mom’s feelings and motivations. Most of all, I liked that it put a human face to immigrants and the impossible choices they make to escape to America.

Hello Again!

This is going to be a long and busy week. I have some big things coming up towards the end of the week but I will also have a ton of reading time! Right now I am listening to an audiobook I can not put down and in between reading a book on my Kindle or a physical read. But right before I jumped into all those different books I took time to read a graphic novel E-ARC (thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions). So without further ado, let’s jump in!

SPOILERS AHEAD

Carlos and his mom life in El Salvador. Carlos has lived his entire life here but one day that all changes when his mother decides that they need to leave and go to America. Carlos is old enough to know that this journey will not be easy (in fact it will be incredibly difficult and potentially deadly). Carlos immediately decides that he will go with his mom, no matter what. So in near secret, the pair begin the journey with strangers that they kind of do not trust.

This graphic novel was absolutely amazing. The story was done in the future when we already know how things ultimately played out for Carlos and his mother (he is retelling it to a family member who is visiting). As we get to hear the retelling, we can see the impacts the journey had on both Carlos and his mom that are still reflected in their lives today. Outside of the story, I thought the art style and illustrations were amazing. This graphic novel hits shelves on April 2nd! I definitely recommend giving it a try!

Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars

***Thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

I've read several graphic novels telling about border crossings and it's fascinating to see all the different stories, all united in their desperate struggles and dangerous obstacles. There was a little added comfort in knowing all along Carlos and Elena made it in the end, because of the frame of the story. There was also an interesting validation of lots of stories from El Salvador in that the cousin stayed and found success on his own there.

Another real good graphic novel telling of another person's story of their trek to cross the USA/Mexico border. This journey took place over 10 years ago, but is still very relevant. I like the way/manner that the story is told. Very good artwork. The title fits perfectly too. I'd recommend this to all readers.....it's a pretty fast, effective read.
I received a complimentary e-ARC from Lerner Publishing Group via NetGalley for review purposes....all opinions are my own.

Ernesto visits his cousin Carlos and listens to his account of crossing into the US border from El Salvador with his mother. Full of terrifying obstacles, Carlos and his mother almost didn't survive the trip.

I appreciate the detailed nature of the story, although I wanted more from the ending. Some might take issue with the story itself and it's promotion of crossing the border illegally.

Just Another Story, is anything but. This graphic novel is a memoir of a 19-year-old named Carlos and his mother Elena as they leave their home in El Salvador and make the harrowing trek to America. The story was a little confusing at first as it starts off in the present and is told in a series of flashbacks. I like that this story gives a face and very personal account of an experience we only think we know about. It may be similar to the immigration stories of thousands of Americans, but it helps readers remember that each one is unique and each one matters. While I didn't care for the flashback format, the illustrations greatly added to the tone and gravity of this true-life account.

Thanks to Lerner Publishing Group, Graphic Universe™, and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy of this title.

Just Another Story was written in such a way that I felt as if I was sitting in front of someone with a cup of coffee and listening to their life story. I absolutely love memoirs in graphic novels and this one does not disappoint. The illustrations and story are woven together really well. A powerful read - I think more people should read stories such as this to gain empathy and understanding in a world that feels hateful and intolerant.

Just Another Story tells the tale of a mother and son searching for a different life in the United States. The story follows their dangerous journey from El Salvador to Texas. The illustrations fit the story perfectly. Highly recommended for YA graphic novel collections!

This graphic novel is told in a conversation style. It goes over the story of how a few of the authors family came to the US as immigrants.

I honestly don't have much criticism for this book. I do wish the text could have been a tiny bit larger, but the story was captivating, the artwork was a perfect match for the story, it was informative and really did what it was supposed to do. I feel like a lot of people have a hard time empathizing with immigrants especially those they don't feel like come across in the legal channels. I feel like this puts a name and a face to people, and I am so incredibly grateful to the author for telling his family's story. A lot of people need to be able to visualize the hardships people go through and this is exactly that.

Just Another Story was a super interesting and heavy read. The graphics were beautifully done and the story was heavy but realistic.

A well-told story with relatable, humane characters in a difficult situation that wasn't afraid of ambiguity. The realistic art enhanced the story.

Just Another Story is an important graphic novel that humanizes the immigrant experience. Ernesto Saade relates his cousin’s journey with his mother to escape from El Salvador. He uses color in the graphics to differentiate the where and when. I can see this being a popular graphic novel at my high school library. I look forward to recommending it and hope it will build empathy in all who read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

A moving YA graphic novel account of Carlos’s immigration to America. Stories like the humanize all the politics of immigration issues. An important mirror and window for teens

Just Another Story by Ernesto Saade is a graphic novel about Carlos and his mother, Elena, as they enter the United States. Taking place in the present time with flashbacks to their journey, it's a thoughtful and compelling story.

Because we see Carlos as an adult, he's had time to sit with his complicated feelings surrounding those events and the people he met along the way, especially his mom. This novel was an emotional read that shows depth and humanizes an experience many people do not understand. Carlos was an insightful narrator who cared about the people he met and had the time to take in the experience fully.

While I enjoyed the storytelling and how much thought went into the background characters, the ending felt abrupt as it ended with a short anecdote about his grandmother that seemed unfinished. In the present timeline, relationships need more exploration, especially between Carlos and his wife. I could easily see this turning into a captivating series!