This book was such a delight! It has monsters, but it’s not really scary. It weaves in mythology that traces back to the ancestors of what is now Mexico. Most of us have at least heard of Quetzalcoatl (even if we can’t quite spell his name!), but I didn’t know he had a twin brother—or the story behind him. That alone made this a fascinating read.

There are some wonderful author and illustrator notes at the end, and the author in particular talks about the creative license taken with the story. So it’s not strict mythology, but there’s a personal, real-life anecdote behind some of those choices that genuinely brought tears to my eyes.

The illustrations are beautiful, too—vivid and full of character. I definitely recommend this one. You should be reading it!

"I could hear my mother as if she were there. She'd point upward toward my brother. "is it more important that others witness something grandiose...?
Then, she'd lay her warm hand on my cheek. "Or, to do something quietly magnificent, that none will ever know?"

Xolo tells the story of the Aztec god Xolotl, the dog-headed god of lightning, death, and misfortune, and how there is more to his tale than what is commonly known. And through beautiful prose and delightful art, the project is brought to life.

I love learning about mythology and different cultures. I wasn't familiar with the tales of Quetzalcoatl, nor Xolotl, and it was a delight to learn of them through this graphic novel. It was quite touching and had equal parts storytelling and presenting the teaching of these cultural figures from the Aztec mythology. I must say it inspired me to do my own research to learn more about it.

I'm very glad I had the opportunity to read this one. Thank you, again, for the ones who made it possible!

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

This is a fantastic book. I love the art style and the colors in this book. The story is also brilliant. It is a retelling of a myth I am not familiar with, but felt like a great introduction. I loved Xolo in this and I loved how he changed as the story progressed. There are some great themes i this that include silent accomplishment and bravery. I am really glad I got the opportunity to read this book. It is fantastic and I would love to read more from the author and the illustrator.

Donna Barba Higuera is one of the best writers for middle-grade readers. Her stories are always capturing and she is able to bring in folklore that hispanic students often crave in a way that feels modern and relatable.

In Xolo, Higuera retells the myths Xolotl, the Aztec God of lightning and death. Xolotl is a loveable and relatable character for students, as he goes through internal questions of being brave and making the right choice. This is a perfect mythology book for a lower middle school/upper middle school reader and will be a great add to any elementary or middle school library!

According to Aztec mythology, it was the god Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent, who braved the Underworld to retrieve the bones needed to recreate human life on Earth. But was he really the hero he's told to be? In this winning retelling, Higuera reimagines the roles of Quetzalcoatl and his dog-headed brother, Xolotl. In her version, Higuera imagines a new dynamic between the gods, exploring a spirit of competition between the twins, as well as the strengths and flaws of each. Xolo, particularly as narrator of the story, makes a very sympathetic character as he seeks respect, redemption, and renown. As he does his best to protect the humans he so cares for, Xolo must confront his own fears and reexamine his godly priorities. In so doing, he gives humanity a new gift of companionship that only he could bestow.

As always, Higuera is a gifted storyteller, and this retelling shines. With it, she not only brings Aztec mythology to a new generation of young readers, but she also deftly examines themes related to bravery, belonging, community, and self-worth. Johnson's expressive illustrations elevate the text even further; in an artist's note, she mentions finding inspiration in the Codex Borgia, an Aztec manuscript. An absolute must-have.

Xolo is the tale of the dog-headed Aztec god Xolotl, and how he became the god of lightning and guardian of the underworld. The tale is told from Xolo's own perspective, as he explains his rivalry with his brother Quetzalcoatl and the other, unkind gods, why he didn't jump into the volcano to restore the sun, and his subsequent battles with Mictlantecuhtli, got of the dead, to save humanity.

The book is all about quiet achievement. While Quetzalcoatl gets the glory of reigning over the sun and the sky, Xolotl's deeds were the quiet ones that matters even if nobody shouted it from the rooftops. It's well written for a middle grade audience, and the colourful illustrations are based off the Mexican manuscript, the Codex Borgia.

I didn't know any Aztec mythology prior to reading this. This book is a wonderful introduction to these myths and has inspired me to look up more.

~This is a NetGalley ARC. All opinions are my own~