As Sokar's monarch butterfly flock (kaleidoscope) heads south from Canada, they are overcome by a huge fire, which is also destroying there food source, milkweed. Despite her broken wing, she continues on in hopes of finding help. In the town Sokar faces rejection and is told to go away, but the Lowriders in Space group take her in, and then she educates them on the pollution that is destroying not only the needs of the monarch butterflies, but that of all living things. Always ready to take on a challenge, they take up her cause, and it translates into a Green Technology Plan for the town, which includes solar parts for the group's cars. Loud and clear message about the importance of protecting the environment by preserving natural resources and utilizing renewable energy sources while also revitalizing the area.
The book features translations of Spanish and Arabic words on both the bottom of the pages and in a glossary, as well as wonderful back matter.Once again the collaboration between author Cathy Camper and illustrator Raul the Third hits the sweet spot of entertainment and information.
Thank you to Chronicle and Netgalley for the digital arc.

I adore Raúl the Third's work, and I adore the Lowriders series! This read was no different— The character of Sokar is an immediate favorite, and I particularly appreciate the emphasis on community engagement, collectively working to restore local resources, with an emphasis on environmental sustainability. 10/10.

Didn't realize this was a series when I requested it, just thought it looked interesting and it was!
Very easy to pick up as a stand-alone and still get a sense of the series and characters.
Silly light hearted fun. Loved the colors and blending of Spanish influences.

**Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

This is my first Lowriders book, so admittedly there was a lot going on that I really don't feel confident that I understood, but even with that, it was a sweet story of first love (crush), Arab and Latinx joy, humor, social activism, environmentalism, gentrification, and fun.  I don't know that the other books in this middle grades series explain the characters or their world any more or less, so I think it can be read as a standalone book, and I think the 140 page detailed illustration filled pages will tempt even the most reluctant readers to give it a try.  

SYNOPSIS:

Sokar is an Arab Muslim monarch butterfly, and the fires have taken so many of her family, and cut the survivors off from being able to safely migrate.  She comes to town with a broken wing and in desperate need of help, only to find prejudice against her at every corner, until she meets the Lowriders:  Lupe, Flapjack, and Elirio.  Lupe is an impala, Elirio a mosquito, and Flappy a land octopus with brand new glasses who falls for Sokar at first sight.  Sokar, however, has concerns with the environmental impact the lowrider car has knowing that the fires and pollution are all related.  Add on that the Upscale Business Association gentrifying the neighborhood, and everyone is going to need to work together to save the monarchs, the neighborhood, the environment, and a tender friendship.  As characters find connections between Arab and Latin foods, Arabic and Spanish words, the readers will find similarities from the real world with this crazy one with people, animals, insects, and flying cars.

WHY I LIKE IT:

The author saw my review of Arab Arab All Year Long! and let me know that this book also had Islamic representation, and that I should check it out.  I love that there are Islamic phrases (inshaAllah, salam), a possible hijab on Sokar, connections to Moors of Spain, and Arab culture.  Part of me doesn't love the love interest, crush thread, but it is between a land octopus and a butterfly and there is only a kiss on the cheek, so, I'm not sure it is that big of a deal.  I love that environmental concerns, discrimination and activism are the heart of the story, yet somehow it doesn't read preachy.

The similarities of words, foods, and my favorite throwing of a chancla/throwing of a shabashib are all amazing for readers of all backgrounds to see and be made aware of.  I love the teamwork, altruism, and compassion that so many of the characters show, while not sacrificing the humor and quirkiness of it all.

I was a bit concerned with the posters going up everywhere, that seems like a lot of waste and excess, in every other instance they were so mindful: making the car solar powered, reducing plastic in the ocean, etc..  

FLAGS:

Racism, discrimination, crush, kiss on the cheek, death, loss, destruction.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

I don't think this would work for a full on book club selection, but I think it would be a popular book to give to a kid to read and then chat about it with them when they finish.  The book has a lot to discuss and maybe in small groups it would be a good selection.  I'm hoping to get it in the library when it releases and I'll come back and report on how it works with reluctant readers, avid readers, and in getting the kids reading, thinking, and laughing.

The popular low rider series continues with an entertaining yet powerful message about refugees, climate change and environmental concerns for various species. Along the way there are fun facts about animals, the Moorish occupation of Spain, and the restoration of lowrider cars. This book would not be my usual pick and I almost gave up on it as the illustrations didn’t appeal to me and I hadn’t heard of the series before. However, this storyline was enjoyable and held my attention and I know some middle grade students who would love the content and graphic novel concept.

Fantastic! One of the few series I’ve ever read that gets better with each new book.

There’s a big focus on environmentalism but it never feels preachy. All the issues raised in the book (pollution, climate change, and so on) are all current and relevant.


Camper’s writing shines, and Raúl the Third’s illustrations are stunning.

From the fun storylines that feature friends working together to overcome some sort of problem to the amazing pen and paper illustrations from Raul the Third, there is nothing that I don't love about the <I>Lowrider</I> books.

<I>Lowriders to the Rescue</I> is no different. In the newest edition of the Lowriders saga, our favorite friends are up against a bevy of problems. Flapjack can't see (and keeps mistaking fire hydrants for potential love interests), the Upscale Business Association is threatening the neighborhood with gentrification and pollution, and the Monarch butterflies that usually migrate through town are nowhere to be seen.

When Sokar, a young monarch with a damaged wing arrives in town, the Lowriders learn that a wildfire burning hot and fast has trapped the monarchs. Can the Lowriders help Sokar and save the neighborhood all at the same time?

While this story tackles a lot of issues (gentrification, pollution, migration patterns, green energy, xenophobia, and more) it doesn't come across as heavy handed and gives readers a good overview of the importance of taking care of your neighborhood, making greener choices, and being kind to people who are different than you.

The illustrations, as always, are fantastic. The limited color palette only adds to the charm of Raul the Third's work and greatly enhances Camper's storytelling.

The Lowriders in Space series is tons of fun, and this entry more than lives up to the very high bar set by the earlier entries. Raul the Third's art is gorgeous and playful, as usual, and Cathy Camper's writing sparkles with equal parts humor, whimsy, multilingual wordplay, and a rigorous political education that kids and adults can benefit from. It's never overly didactic, instead couching its messages about sustainability, acceptance, and grassroots activism and innovation in playful and unexpected ways. Can't wait to buy this for my store and get copies for every young (and young-at-heart) person I know.

I adore this series and found so much to continue loving about this new entry. Raul’s art is amazing and unique, Cathy Camper’s writing is wonderful, and the use of Spanish is beautiful. An adventure, a graphic novel — a book well worth sharing with readers young and old. Fine work from these masterful collaborators, and highly recommended.