A picture book debut by an award-winning author about a boy's life on the U.S.-Mexico border, visiting his favorite places on The Other Side with his father, spending time with family and friends, and sharing in the responsibility of community care.
Early one Saturday morning, a boy prepares for a trip to The Other Side/El Otro Lado. It's close--just down the street from his school--and it's a twin of where he lives. To get there, his father drives their truck along the Rio Grande and over a bridge, where they're greeted by a giant statue of an eagle. Their outings always include a meal at their favorite restaurant, a visit with Tío Mateo at his jewelry store, a cold treat from the paletero, and a pharmacy pickup. On their final and most important stop, they check in with friends seeking asylum and drop off much-needed supplies.
My Two Border Towns by David Bowles, with stunning watercolor illustrations by Erika Meza, is the loving story of a father and son's weekend ritual, a demonstration of community care, and a tribute to the fluidity, complexity, and vibrancy of life on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Available in English and Spanish.
2022 Tomás Rivera Book Award Winner
2022 Premio, Mejor Libro Infantil/Best Spanish Language Picture Book Award Gold Medalist
2021 New York Public Library Best Books
2021 School Library Journal Best Books
2021 Kirkus Reviews Best Books
2021 Center for the Study of Multicultural Literature Best Books
★ "Characters’ friendly greetings, the vibrant illustrations, and the thoughtful actions of this father and son come together to create a feeling of warmth and hope, while also bringing to the forefront the plight of so many like Élder and his family. An excellent addition to Spanish picture-book collections."
—Booklist, starred review
★ "Bowle’s picture-book debut weaves weightier realities into a story of ordinary border town life, and does so with a gentle hand."
—The Horn Book, starred review
★ "Meza (Balloons for Papa) pours artistry into mixed-media images of the towns, which mirror each other across the river… the father and son look forward—with warmth and care—to a 'wonderful day,' when passage between the border towns isn’t limited."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ "Beautiful, honest, complex."
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
