Lowriders in Space by Cathy Camper. Illus. by Raul the Third, San Francisco, Chronicle Books, $9.99
Crazy, whacked-out, weird, funny ... these are all words that describe this graphic novel about a mismatched group of creatures who love working with cars and yearn to own a garage.
When Lupe Impala and her friends see a poster advertising a contest they decide to enter a fabulous car and win a carload of cash. The search is on to find a cheap vehicle to restore and then of course the finished car needs some spectacular detailing.
Luckily, it shoots them into space where opportunities for detailing abound. A few comet tails, a bit of solar chrome from the sun, some rings from Saturn and Lupe and her buddies are all set to win the competition and realize their dream.
The characters are a diverse bunch including an octopus and a mosquito who have interesting and species-specific skills. Lupe, the group leader, is a mechanic extraordinaire who can “swish a swashplate or wrangle a manifold with a twist of her wrench.”
The art is incredibly detailed. The artist explains he drew with red, blue and black ballpoint pens to revisit the excitement he felt when he drew as a kid. The exuberant action and wonderful backgrounds really add to the fun. The art perfectly complements Camper’s witty and inventive dialogue and readers who enjoy Lupe’s adventures will be pleased to know they can revisit her in the sequel, Lowriders to the Center of the Earth. Fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride low and slow - bajito y suavecito!
A glossary at the back of the book explains the liberal use of Mexican-American slang and an author’s note gives the history of lowrider (customized cars) culture that originated in Southern California after the Second World War. For ages 9-14.
Fran Ashdown was the children’s librarian at the Capilano Branch of the NV District Library. She sometimes drove her parents’ 1952 Chevy which was pretty low and slow.
For more information check your local libraries.
