Second Generation Blues - by Julio Anta (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Almost American Girl meets Brownstone in Second Generation Blues, a poignant coming-of-age young adult graphic novel about a Cuban American teen as he struggles to choose between being the son his parents need him to be and living the life he wants.

Luis Menendez wants to be free from his immigrant Cuban-American parents' expectations. Instead, he's spending the summer delivering food for his family's faltering restaurant, sweating under the hot sun and the crushing weight of a future he didn't choose.

At least there's Yara. Confident, assertive, and basically Luis's dream girl, she might be the only person who understands him. If only he had any free time to spend with her.

Amid the chaos, Luis starts carving out his own path. But when trying to be the son his parents need clashes with the life he wants, he's forced to face the question he's most afraid of answering: Is family loyalty worth sacrificing his own happiness?

Review Quotes

"A warm NYC slice of life about taking a leap of faith." - Deb JJ Lee, author of In Limbo

"With a beautiful color palette and bold lines, this is a beautiful story about class, the immigrant experience, and how hard it is to balance your parents' dreams with your own." - Christine Suggs, author of ¡Ay, Mija!

"A heartfelt coming-of-age story that captures the growing pains of venturing beyond the boundaries of family life--while still finding a place within it." - Sarah Mai, author of Freshman Year

"Second Generation Blues is for anyone who's balanced on the tight rope between their parents' expectations and their own ambitions." - Mary Shyne, author of You and Me on Repeat

"Through sun-basked shades, scratchy lines, and raw and vulnerable emotion, Anta's words and Dryer's illustrations pair perfectly together to depict a hectic summer in the World's Borough." - Andi Porretta, author of Ready or Not

"A vibrant, heartfelt coming-of-age story about the messy magic of teenage summers." - Pablo Leon, award-winning author of Silenced Voices

"This story lives at the delightful crossroads of mouthwatering Cuban food, tough immigrant parents, and trying to live your best teen life." - Jorge Aguirre, author of Call Me Iggy

"A thoughtful, hopeful, and real about the struggle to find yourself without losing yourself." - Victoria Evans, author of The History of Everything

"Leveraging a familiar premise, Anta excels at unpacking the intergenerational struggles that at times define immigrant parents and their children. Dryer's grounded artwork remains focused on the characters on each page, using frame breaks during tense moments for greater impact.
Refreshingly sincere." - Kirkus Reviews

"Relatable dialogue and emotive, character-focused artwork portray Luis's vulnerability and yearning for understanding with nuance and sensitivity. The result is an attentive and affirming portrait of one teen's experience blazing his own trail." - Publishers Weekly

"Scorching shades of orange, yellow, and pink stress the heat of summer in the city. This coming-of-age graphic novel uses technology, social media, and work to highlight the generational chasm between immigrants who came to the U.S. with nothing and their children with twenty first-century dreams." - Booklist

"Anta, who is making a name for himself for authentic Latine representation, has created another appealing protagonist. This coming-of-age graphic novel offers a realistic and respectful look at immigrant families and the struggles their second-generation children might face. Artist Dryer illustrates the diverse cast of characters with aplomb, and their warm yellow and orange palette enhances the city atmosphere. This duo's excellent dynamic makes for a thoughtful narrative. An eye-opening read that introduces YA audiences to cultural experiences and dynamics different from their own." - School Library Journal

"This graphic novel brings both nuance and compassion as it examines the struggles of a working-class immigrant family, acknowledging the challenges that Luis's parents have had to face without minimizing the effects their narrow focus has on their son. The art perfectly captures the tension, as black ink slowly encroaches on the speech bubbles, panels break and become jagged, and colors shift from cheery bright to clashing contrast." - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books